Mary Habila’s Death in Umahi’s Residence

As governor of Ebonyi State and currently the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi’s name has been associated with so many controversies and alleged scandals. 

The families of the five NELAN engineers who allegedly disappeared in the state in November 2021 while supervising an African Development Bank-funded Road project, are still crying for justice.

Just a few months after the minister survived the allegations levelled against him by a lady who claimed he refused to pay her for a project she executed for him because she rejected his sexual advances, he is facing intense public scrutiny regarding the sudden death of Mary Habila.

The victim was a 26-year-old nurse, who was found dead in the minister’s Uburu, Ebonyi State residence.

Though the minister confirmed the death, he denied any foul play and called for a full investigation.

He initially disclosed that he suggested autopsy but the family of the deceased rejected it.

The minister threatened legal action against those he accused of spreading false reports.

However, the suspicious nature of the death has sparked public outrage.

Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian Women International Alliance (NWIA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure an independent, transparent and credible investigation into the death.

In an open letter signed by its President, Mrs Omolara Abike; Vice President, Mrs. Ogonna Chiedum, and Secretary, Dr. Mariam Adeosun, the organisation said that its concerns were also informed by other complaints and public allegations that had, over time, been associated with the minister.

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has also called for an independent investigation, insisting that the circumstances surrounding her death raised legitimate questions that must be answered transparently.

Investigators in developed countries resolve this kind of issue through autopsy and forensics.

It is heartwarming to note that both the minister and the Ebonyi State Police Command have insisted on an autopsy to clear all suspicions.

Following this development, the initial plan to bury her last Friday, July 17, was put on hold.

However, for the outcome of the autopsy to be credible, her family must be involved at every stage of the investigation.