Atiku Demands Umahi Step Aside as Mary Habila Death Sparks Calls for Independent Investigation
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to temporarily step aside while investigations continue into the controversial death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, a young healthcare worker whose passing has generated widespread public concern and renewed debate over accountability in government.
Mary Habila, who was attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences in Ebonyi State and serving on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on June 27 under circumstances that have remained the subject of intense public scrutiny. According to reports, she died in a residence located within the minister’s compound in Uburu, Ebonyi State, a development that has fueled calls for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Reacting to the development in a statement posted on his verified X account, Atiku expressed deep sadness over the death of the young woman and extended his condolences to her grieving family. He described the incident as a tragedy that deserves more than speculation, insisting that only an open and credible investigation can provide the truth Nigerians are seeking.
“I have followed with deep sorrow and mounting concern the reports surrounding the death of Miss Mary Habila,” Atiku stated, adding that no family should be forced to endure the pain of losing a loved one while simultaneously struggling to uncover the truth behind the death.
The former vice president was careful not to accuse any individual of wrongdoing. Instead, he stressed that his position was based on the need to preserve public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
According to him, he was making no declaration regarding the guilt or innocence of anyone connected with the matter. Rather, he argued that the only way to establish the facts is through an impartial, independent, and transparent investigation capable of commanding public trust.
Atiku maintained that when the death of a citizen is linked, directly or indirectly, to a serving senior government official, the burden rests heavily on the government to ensure that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done.
He argued that public office comes with heightened responsibility and accountability, saying the government has a constitutional obligation to guarantee that investigations involving powerful public officials remain free from any appearance of interference or influence.
As part of his recommendations, Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct Works Minister David Umahi to step aside pending the completion of investigations. He emphasized that such a move should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt or punishment but rather as a standard democratic practice intended to protect the integrity of the investigative process.
He further argued that public confidence in state institutions is strengthened when government officials voluntarily or temporarily relinquish official responsibilities while investigations into sensitive matters are ongoing.
Read Also: Oyo School Kidnappers: Ningi Questions Federal Government Over Delayed Trial
Beyond calling for Umahi’s temporary withdrawal from office, Atiku also urged the Inspector-General of Police to immediately transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the case has attracted significant national attention and therefore requires investigators who are entirely independent of local influences. He further requested that internationally recognized forensic experts be involved in examining all available evidence.
The former presidential candidate also insisted that a comprehensive and internationally credible autopsy should be conducted without further delay, with the results released publicly in the interest of transparency.
He equally called on security agencies to ensure that members of Mary Habila’s family are adequately protected against intimidation, coercion, pressure, or any form of interference while investigations continue.
Atiku concluded that justice must apply equally to all Nigerians regardless of their social status or political position, noting that the true test of any democracy lies in how it responds when ordinary citizens seek accountability from those in positions of authority.
As the controversy intensified, two major student organizations—the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of University Students (NAUS)—also reacted to the incident.
In a joint statement signed by NANS Senate President Ibeabuchi Onyia and NAUS President Meshach Nwankwo, the organizations expressed grief over Habila’s death, describing it as a painful loss to the nation.
The student bodies extended condolences to her family, colleagues, and loved ones while also sympathizing with all those affected by the tragedy.
While mourning the deceased, both organizations emphasized that justice should prevail. They stated that determining the true cause of Habila’s death must remain the primary objective of investigators and urged Nigerians to allow the legal process to run its course.
The groups also commended Minister David Umahi for requesting that an autopsy be conducted, saying the move demonstrated a willingness to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
At the same time, they cautioned individuals and organizations against making premature conclusions capable of influencing ongoing legal proceedings, reminding the public that every suspect remains innocent until proven guilty under Nigerian law.
NANS and NAUS further pledged to continue monitoring developments closely while advocating fairness, justice, and accountability throughout the investigation.
However, the case took another dramatic turn when members of Mary Habila’s family formally requested that police discontinue investigations into her death.
In an affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court, her father, Tanko Habila, stated that the family did not suspect any foul play in their daughter’s death.
He also rejected requests for an autopsy, insisting that neither he nor his family would consent to any post-mortem examination.
According to the affidavit, the family requested that the police immediately release Habila’s body for burial, arguing that they wished to mourn privately without prolonging the matter.
Her father maintained that the decision was entirely voluntary and was made without pressure, coercion, or inducement from any individual or government official.
He also declared that the family would not honor further invitations from either the police or the courts regarding the matter, reiterating that they simply wanted to bury their daughter peacefully.
Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command insisted that investigations would continue.
Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu explained that officers received a distress call reporting a medical emergency involving Mary Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital.
According to the police, she was already dead before arriving at the hospital.
The Commissioner of Police subsequently directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a more detailed investigation due to its sensitive nature.
Investigators disclosed that preliminary findings indicated Habila and another woman identified as Anita Baaki were members of the minister’s medical team and had accompanied him to Uburu before the incident occurred.
The police maintained that a forensic examination remained necessary to determine the actual cause of death.
Authorities further disclosed that detectives had already visited the scene, collected statements from witnesses, and were making arrangements for a qualified pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination.
The command stated that although it was awaiting the participation of the deceased’s family, investigations would continue in accordance with the law and promised that the inquiry would remain impartial and transparent.
Minister David Umahi has also maintained that a comprehensive forensic autopsy is essential before Mary Habila’s body is released for burial.
Through his solicitor, Roy O. Umahi Nwaeze (SAN), the minister formally requested the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that forensic specialists conduct an independent examination capable of scientifically establishing the exact cause of death.
The letter clarified that Habila resided in a staff accommodation located within the minister’s residential premises but did not share the same building with him.
It further explained that the building was reserved for members of the minister’s staff and other personnel working with him.
According to the letter, only Mary Habila and another female occupant were present in the staff quarters on the night of the incident.
Umahi argued that releasing the body before completing forensic investigations could compromise the integrity of the inquiry and encourage unnecessary speculation.
He therefore appealed to the police to delay releasing the remains until all investigative procedures, including the autopsy, had been completed in the interest of justice and transparency.
Meanwhile, another dimension emerged after the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) issued a clarification concerning Habila’s professional identity.
In a statement released following verification through the appropriate regulatory authorities, the society disclosed that the name “Mary Habila” does not appear in its official register of licensed physiotherapists.
The NSP emphasized that the clarification was intended to ensure accuracy and discourage the public from making assumptions regarding regulated professions.
According to the society, public officials and institutions should always verify professional qualifications through official regulatory bodies before publicly identifying individuals with specialized professions.
The organization stressed that professional identities must be established through verifiable records rather than speculation or public perception.
Despite the clarification, the society expressed sympathy to Mary Habila’s family, friends, and loved ones, describing her death as a human tragedy while praying for the peaceful repose of her soul.
The death of Mary Habila has since become one of Nigeria’s most closely watched public interest cases, attracting reactions from political leaders, civil society groups, professional bodies, student organizations, and ordinary citizens. While differing opinions continue to emerge over the appropriate course of action, there is broad agreement that the circumstances surrounding her death require clarity and transparency.
As investigations proceed, many Nigerians continue to await official findings that will establish the precise cause of death and address the questions that have kept the case firmly in the national spotlight.
mute
हिन्दी
settings
microphone
