Umahi–Ohiri Dispute: Coalition Urges Due Process, Warns Against Social Media Trial

A civil society coalition has cautioned against the politicisation of the alleged ₦250 million debt dispute involving the Minister of Works, David Umahi, urging all parties to allow investigative authorities to carry out their duties without pressure or public interference.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) stated that the controversy should be resolved through established legal and investigative channels rather than public confrontations and social media campaigns.

The coalition’s intervention followed a confrontation on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command headquarters, where activist Omoyele Sowore challenged the minister over alleged abuse of power in the dispute said to involve a financial claim by Mrs. Tracy Nither Nicolas Ohiri.

Sowore had questioned the minister’s alleged use of law enforcement agencies in what he described as a civil matter.

However, COCSON, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Spokesperson, Olawale Oladimeji, warned against what it termed “trial by social media.”

“If the alleged transaction occurred in 2015, why escalate to social media in 2026?” the coalition queried.

The group emphasised that Nigeria’s legal system provides clear procedures for civil debt recovery, including demand notices, arbitration and court action, stressing that legitimate claims must follow due process.

“Legitimate claims are pursued through legal channels, not viral recordings,” the statement read.

COCSON noted that the timing of the allegation, coming several years after the purported transaction and without evidence of prior legal action, raised concerns. It added that Umahi has publicly stated that the matter was already subject to lawful investigation and insisted that public agitation cannot replace structured inquiry.

“If indeed there is a contractual disagreement between private parties, it remains a civil matter. Civil disputes belong in courtrooms, not viral confrontations staged for public spectacle,” the coalition said.

The group also warned that governance should not be disrupted by unverified allegations circulated online, describing the growing trend of weaponising social media in place of legal institutions as a threat to democratic stability.

“Accountability must be evidence-driven, not sentiment-driven,” it stated.

While affirming that public officials must remain open to scrutiny, COCSON maintained that reputations should not be damaged without credible proof. It referenced Umahi’s record from his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State to his current role as Minister of Works, describing him as infrastructure-driven and execution-focused.

According to the coalition, the minister currently oversees critical national road corridors vital to economic growth and interstate commerce, responsibilities it said require stability and focus.

COCSON also announced plans to organise a solidarity rally in support of the minister on March 3, 2026, to counter a protest reportedly being planned against him.

The group called on Nigerians to resist what it described as emotional manipulation and to allow institutions to function without pressure from viral narratives.

“We reaffirm that no citizen is above the law. Equally, no citizen should be publicly condemned without proof. Justice must be evidence-driven,” the statement added.