A Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Wednesday granted bail of N1 million to businesswoman Tracyniter Nicholas Ohiri, who is facing a defamation charge linked to the Minister of Works.

Mrs. Ohiri was arraigned by the police over allegations that she defamed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, following a business transaction. She pleaded not guilty when the charge, contained in a First Information Report, was read in court.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ibraheem Ope admitted her to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. The court directed that the sureties must provide verifiable residential addresses and evidence of payment of water or electricity bills.

Defence counsel Abubakar Marshal argued that his client’s detention before investigation was contrary to Nigerian law and violated her fundamental rights under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution. He maintained that no prima facie case had been established to justify her continued remand and noted that the alleged offence is bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Marshal further told the court that Mrs. Ohiri had been held beyond the constitutionally permitted 48 hours and assured that she would not interfere with investigations and would be available for trial.

Prosecuting counsel Patrick Wisdom opposed the bail application, arguing that exceptions exist to the constitutional provisions cited by the defence. He said investigations were ongoing and alleged that the defendant had been uncooperative.

In granting bail, Magistrate Ope held that there was no sufficient evidence before the court to justify denying the defendant her liberty, adding that the court would not infringe on her constitutional rights.

The case was adjourned to April 28, 2026, for further hearing. Observers reported that armed police officers were seen at the court premises during proceedings, allegedly with plans to re-arrest the defendant as her lawyers worked to perfect her bail conditions.