By Paul Joseph
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, pending an independent investigation into the death of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Atiku expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, which reportedly occurred on June 27 at Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
He extended condolences to the deceased’s family, saying they deserved not only sympathy but also a transparent account of what led to her death.
According to Atiku, the incident remained undisclosed to the public for nearly two weeks until media reports brought it to national attention. He also questioned why, weeks after the incident, no autopsy had reportedly been concluded and no official cause of death had been announced.
The former vice president criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s silence over the matter, noting that neither the Presidency, the Inspector-General of Police nor the National Assembly had publicly addressed the case.
He further argued that the investigation should not remain under the Ebonyi State Police Command, citing Umahi’s political influence in the state as a former governor. He insisted that only an independent probe could inspire public confidence.
Atiku clarified that his position should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against the minister but as a call for transparency and accountability.
He maintained that whenever the death of a citizen is linked to the residence of a senior public official, the government has a heightened responsibility to ensure an open and credible investigation.
To address the controversy, Atiku outlined four demands: the temporary suspension of Umahi while investigations continue; the transfer of the case to the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police with independent forensic experts; an immediate and internationally credible autopsy with its findings made public; and adequate protection for the deceased’s family from intimidation or undue influence.
He argued that these measures were necessary to guarantee justice for Mary Habila and to reassure Nigerians that no individual is above scrutiny under the law.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government and the Minister of Works had not publicly responded to Atiku’s latest demands.
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