Tracyniter (Tracy) Nicholas Ohiri, a businesswoman has withdrawn her earlier allegations of sexual harassment and unpaid contract against Dave Umahi, the minister of works.
In a video statement released on Wednesday, Ohiri said she decided to retract the claims after consultations with her family, friends and legal team, as well as a review of the events surrounding the controversy.
She apologised to the minister for the embarrassment the allegations may have caused him and his family.
“I sincerely apologise to Engineer Dave Umahi, his family, my own family, friends and everyone who felt embarrassed by what happened,” she said.
Ohiri also clarified that she never met the former Ebonyi State governor in a hotel room and did not accuse him of meeting her while wearing a towel, contrary to claims that circulated online.
The businesswoman further explained that she did not personally know the engineers from Neyland referenced in her earlier claims, noting that she only heard about them through social media reports.
On the alleged financial dispute, Ohiri admitted that there was no formally signed agreement between her and the minister.
According to her, although the work she carried out was delivered to Umahi’s aides, it might have been used for campaign purposes without the minister’s knowledge.
The apology follows days of intense public debate triggered by her earlier allegations, which Umahi had previously dismissed as false and politically motivated.