The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) has criticised human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for amplifying allegations against the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, describing the claims as politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence.
Gatekeepers News reports that the allegations stem from claims by businesswoman Tracy Nicolas Ohiri, who accused Umahi of owing her N250 million and alleged that he made sexual advances toward her several years ago. Sowore had also accused the police of abusing their powers by allegedly converting what he described as a civil dispute into a criminal matter to persecute the businesswoman.
Ohiri was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command and taken to Abuja, where proceedings at the Wuse 6 Magistrate Court on Thursday were disrupted by protests from the defendant and activists.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, COCSON National Spokesperson, Olawale Oladimeji, said the coalition’s independent review revealed what it described as “serious inconsistencies” in the claims circulating online.
According to the group, conflicting figures had been mentioned in various accounts, with some reports alleging N250 million, while others referenced N24.5 million for campaign materials reportedly supplied during the 2015 Ebonyi State governorship election.
The coalition questioned the absence of documentary proof to support the allegations, such as written contracts, delivery records, acknowledgements, or prior payment demands.
“Governorship campaigns operate through structured committees and documented procurement processes. Transactions of such magnitude do not rest on verbal understanding alone,” the group said.
COCSON also raised concerns about the timing of the allegations, noting that the alleged transaction dated back to 2015 but only resurfaced publicly in 2026 without evidence of earlier legal action.
“Nigeria’s judicial system provides clear avenues for civil debt recovery. Legitimate claims are pursued through demand letters, arbitration and court filings, not viral videos,” Oladimeji stated.
The coalition urged all parties to allow due process, stressing that social media campaigns and public protests cannot replace formal legal proceedings.
It maintained that if the issue involves a contractual dispute, it should be treated as a civil matter and resolved through the courts rather than what it described as “public spectacle and reputational warfare.”
While acknowledging the importance of freedom of expression and accountability, the group warned against the use of unverified allegations to shape public opinion.
COCSON also cautioned that sensitive accusations, including sexual misconduct claims, must be handled responsibly and supported by verifiable evidence to preserve the credibility of advocacy efforts.
Reaffirming its support for Umahi, the coalition described his public service record, from his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State to his current role overseeing federal road projects, as “performance-driven.”
The group announced plans to hold a solidarity rally in support of the minister on March 3, 2026, to counter a planned protest.
“We reaffirm that no citizen is above the law. Equally, no citizen should be publicly condemned without proof. Justice must be evidence-driven, and governance must not be derailed by politically motivated distractions,” the coalition said.
