By TAIYE AGBAJE

The arrangement of a woman, Tracynither Ohiri, for allegedly cyberstalking the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Wednesday suffered a setback in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The matter, which was fixed for Ohiri to take her plea before Justice James Omotosho, could not proceed due to the absence of the defendant in court.

When the case was called, neither Ohiri nor her lawyer was in court

The prosecution lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, informed the court that though the case was scheduled for Ohiri’s arraignment, they were unable to serve her with the charge.

He said the prosecution had planned to serve Ohiri at an Abuja magistrate court on Tuesday where she was facing another trial, but the defendant did not come to the court.

Madaki, however, said that the police had applied to discontinue the case at the magistrate court.

He then prayed Justice Omotosho for another date to enable them do the needful.

“Now that you have withdrawn your matter at the magistrate court, how will you serve the defendant,” the judge asked.

Responding, Madaki said the prosecution had mobilised the bailiff of the court to serve Ohiri in Lagos State.

The judge, who said that the court is not a dumping ground for cases, threatened that if the police failed to produce the defendant on the next adjourned date, the case would be struck out.

Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until May 26 for Ohiri’s arraignment or for the matter to be struck out.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wednesday’s proceeding marked the third time the case would be coming up for hearing.

Justice Omotosho had, on April 16, threatened to strike out the charge filed by the police against Ohiri, the sole defendant in the case.

The judge gave the warning following the inability of the prosecution to produce Ohiri in court for arraignment.

The judge then fixed April 24 (Friday) for Ohiri to take her plea.

However, when the case came up on Friday, Madaki, who expressed police inability to serve the defendant, begged the court for another adjourned date.

The police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/172/2026, preferred a 13 counts bordering on cyberstalking and defamation against Ohiri.

The charge, dated March 31, was filed same day by 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.

This, the prosecution said, amplified the reach and impact, with intent to cause hatred, ill will and reputational injury, among other counts. (NAN)

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