Abuja Magistrate Court Strikes Out Cyberbullying Case Against Businesswoman Tracyniter Ohiri
A Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has struck out a criminal case involving alleged cyberbullying and defamation filed by the Nigeria Police on behalf of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, against businesswoman Tracyniter Nicholas Ohiri.
The decision followed an application by the police prosecutor, Wisdom Patrick, who informed the court that the prosecution wished to discontinue and withdraw the matter in line with Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Tracyniter had earlier been granted bail on February 26, 2026, in the sum of N1 million with two sureties. She was accused after publicly alleging that the minister failed to pay for goods and services she provided, and that she was unlawfully detained and harassed through senior police officers after rejecting alleged advances.
At Tuesday’s hearing before Magistrate Ibraheem Ope, the prosecution formally moved to discontinue the case. The defence counsel, A.K. Musa, informed the court that the defendant was absent due to bereavement, a fact communicated to the court through a formal letter which was admitted into evidence.
The magistrate granted the application, struck out the case, and discharged the defendant and her sureties.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, activist Omoyele Sowore stated that the case involved cybercrime and defamation allegations and criticized the process used in filing it, saying it was improperly brought before a magistrate court. He also noted that the withdrawal of charges led to the discharge of all sureties, including himself.
Sowore further claimed that the dispute between the parties had been settled, adding that there was no justification for continuing related proceedings in other courts.
Tracyniter’s lawyer also questioned the continuation of related legal actions, alleging that the initial case may have been filed in a lower court to obtain a remand order. He argued that once alternative settlement had been reached, further prosecution was unnecessary.
Reports also indicate that a related matter may still be pending before the Federal High Court and could come up for hearing soon.
