The Federal High in Abuja on Thursday threatened to strike out a charge filed by the police against a woman, Tracynither Ohiri, who allegedly accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of sexual misconduct.
Justice James Omotosho gave the warning following the inability of the prosecution to produce Ohiri in court for arraignment.
The police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/172/2026, preferred a 13 counts bordering on cyberstalking and defamation against Ohiri who is the sole defendant in the case.
The charge, dated March 31, was filed same day by Wisdom Madaki from the Directorate of Legal Services, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
In count one, Ohiri was alleged to have, on or about Oct. 16, 2023, intentionally transmitted through her TikTok account, a video publication wherein she accused the minister of threatening to kill her if she entered Ebonyi.
The prosecution said the statement, which she knew to be false and of a menacing character, capable of causing fear and reputational injury, is punishable under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count three, the defendant was alleged to have, on or about March 8, 2024, transmitted via her TikTok account, a video alleging that Umahi victimised her for refusing sexual relations and used his office to oppress women.
Count four accused her of publishing via her TikTok account, on or about May 3, 2024, alleging that Umahi tied down her business capital for 10 years due to her refusal of his sexual advances.
The police accused Ohiri in count six of publishing on Sahara Reporters and circulated on social media, on or about March 28, 2025, a statement alleging that Umahi owed her over N200 million for campaign materials which statement she knew to be false.
In count seven, she was alleged to have, on the same date and through the same medium, alleged that non-payment of her mony was a retaliation for refusal of sexual advances, which she knew was false and intended to damage reputation.
Count eight accused her of transmitting via her Facebook page, on or about Feb. 26, a video of a press conference wherein she stated that Umahi threatened to ensure she would “not leave Ebonyi State alive and that he would do to you what happened to the NELAN Engineers.”
The prosecution, in count 10, accused Ohiri of causing her publications to be widely shared, reposted and circulated across social media platforms, thereby amplifying their reach and impact, with intent to cause hatred, ill will and reputational injury, among other counts.
When the case was called for arraignment, neither the defendant nor her lawyer was in court.
Madaki, who appeared for the police, told the court that though the matter was coming up for arraignment, they had been unable to serve the defendant.
“We shall be asking for a date to enable us serve the defendant my lord,” he prayed.
The lawyer begged the court for a long adjournment for them to do the needful.
Justice Omotosho then asked the lawyer: “What effort have you made to serve?”
The judge, who observed that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) was also not in court, said the court is not a dumping ground.
“If by next week you don’t bring her, I will strike out the case.
“The IPO is not here. How will I know your seriously?”
Although Madaki pleaded for a longer date, the judge refused.
“I will give you till next week. You cannot file a charge and you will abandon it here and the case will be going one year, two years,” the judge said.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until April 24 for arraignment or for striking out.