By Adesina Soyooye
The Southern Kaduna Lawyers Forum has waded into the unfortunate death of a Nurse, Mary Habila, at the staff quarters of the Minister for Works, David Umahi, located within the Minister’s country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Habila, a Nurse with the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ohaozara, but seconded to the Ministry for Works, suddenly died on June 27, 2026, while she and others travelled along with the Minister to his country home.
Her death has been followed by controversy, speculations, several questions and allegations. These have not abated even though a colleague of hers, who, also travelled with her to Uburu, had given an account of her last moments.
More important, Habila’s boyfriend had also detailed an account of his last discussion with her. From his account, Habila, while speaking with him, complained that she was bleeding from the nose. He advised her to stop the discussion they were having so as not to aggravate the bleeding. However, he said Habila asked him not to cut the phone. He cut it all the same, and according to him, called her back within minutes but got no response.
Instructively, the boyfriend revealed that the nose bleeding did not start in Ubulu but started a couple of days earlier while Habila and others were in Lagos.
Umahi has been, at once, angry and devastated since the incident. On the one hand, he is angry that not a few people think, and suggest that Habila’s death was a result of foul play; that they were indirectly, unbelievably, pointing accusing fingers at him.
On the other hand, the Minister is mourning a staff who he not only described as devoted and efficient, but as his daughter. ”How could I have killed my own daughter”, he wondered.
In a detailed response, Umahi disclosed that Habila, along with others lived in his staff quarters in Abuja. He also revealed that Habila had a documented issue with her health, and that he, Umahi, had, for a long time been picking her hospital bills. He directed anybody in doubt to go to the Turkish Hospital Abuja and see her medical records.
To clear himself, the Minister, through his legal team, stopped Habila’s funeral which her family had fixed against July 19. He insists on an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.
But Habila’s father, Wisdom Habila, objects. In rejecting any form of autopsy, he said it was culturally not acceptable to him; that nobody was responsible for his daughters death; that he wanted his daughter’s body intact for burial; that he knew his daughter was working with Umahi; that the family would no longer cooperate with the Police on any investigation concerning Habila’s death. In a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Habila re-emphasised the family’s decision, just as Umahi insists on an autopsy. Umahi, has, also, threatened legal action against anybody connecting his name to the sad incident.
Amidst the controversy, Habila’s body is stuck in the mortuary. The speculations and allegations have not stopped. They have, instead, multiplied. One group recently sued the Minister, and the question is: on what basis? The latest onslaught comes from the Southern Kaduna Lawyers Forum, SKLF.
In a press statement signed on its behalf by Chairman, Dr. Solomon Musa, Esq, and Publicity Secretary, Solomon Yohanna, SKLF is insisting on an autopsy and an independent investigation into what it described as Habila’s mysterious and suspicious death under murky circumstances.
In the statement, SKLF raised a number of questions, and made a number of requests.
Following is the full text of the statement.
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE SOUTHERN KADUNA LAWYERS’ FORUM (SKLF) ON THE UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF MISS MARY HABILA
“The Southern Kaduna Lawyers’ Forum (SKLF) received with deep shock and profound sadness the news of the tragic and mysterious death of Miss Mary Habila at the residence of Engr. David Umahi, the honourable Minister of Works at Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on the 27th of June, 2026.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Tanko Habila Wisdom’s family, friends, and all sympathizers. No family should have to bury a daughter under such mysterious and suspicious circumstances. While death is inevitable for every human being, the death of Mary at such a prime age in circumstances that were at best murky, unclear and questionable raises the spectre, need and demand for clarity, legal and acceptable answers.
“The report concerning the place and circumstances of her death are conflicting and disturbing.
In view of the questions and troubling issues that have arisen regarding her death, it has become necessary and poignant in accordance with international as well as domestic legal and medical standards and best practices to carry out necessary investigations in order to unravel the actual cause(s) of her death.
“These investigations are in accord with sections 14 (2) (6) as well as Chapter IV particularly Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended). Mary was a citizen of Nigeria that deserves no less.
“Our Position:
“1. Call for Transparent Investigation: The SKLF demands an immediate, thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation by the relevant law enforcement and security agencies. The circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death must be fully unraveled and made public upon a conduct of valid autopsy and/or coroner inquest. Any attempt to quickly carry out the funeral of the deceased should be aborted and refrained, as that may further precipitate suspicion and mistrust by the populace on the circumstances of the deceased demise.
“The above investigations will unravel the truth on the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased as well as answer certain questions such as:
“*a. What were the circumstances leading to her being in the house of Engr. David Umahi?
*b. When did she die and when was her death reported?
*c. What is the state of the body of Mary at the point of death?
*d. Who were the persons in the house of Engr. Umahi on the day Mary died?
*e. Where was Engr. David Umahi on the date of Mary’s death?
*f. Is it true that Mary died on 27th June, 2026 but the news of her death was first released to the public on 10th July, 2026?
*g. Was Mary a nurse or physiotherapist?
*h. When did Mary travel to Ebonyi State?
*i. When was Mary employed and what are the circumstances, if any for her being seconded to Engr. Umahi’s house?
” 2. Rule of Law & Accountability: The answers to the above questions will assure Mary’s family, the Southern Kaduna Lawyers Forum, the general public as well as those who had contacts with Mary of the transparency of the investigation. No person, regardless of status, position, or affiliation, is above the law. We urge that due process be strictly followed and that all persons who may have information relevant to this matter cooperate fully with investigators.
“Our Forum demands for the report of all investigations that will be carried out. In the interim, we call on our members, Southern Kaduna People, and the general public to await the report.
“3. Respect for the Deceased and Family: We call on the media, public, and all stakeholders to be circumspect, avoid speculation, and respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of the grieving family as investigations proceed.
“4. Justice of the Matter : The SKLF stands ready to provide legal services and monitor proceedings to ensure that justice is not only done but must be seen to have been done. We will engage relevant authorities to ensure the family’s right to truth and justice is guaranteed and preserved.
“As lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, we reiterate that the sanctity of human life is non-negotiable as encapsulated under section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The law must take its course without fear or favour, as the Forum is considering initiating legal proceedings as a resort to attainment of justice and equity in the scandalous matter.
“We trust that the authorities will act with due diligence and swiftly to bring clarity to this matter and ensure that justice is served in order to assuage the public outcry for transparency in the investigation of circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased health practitioner.
“May the soul of Miss Mary Habila rest in peace with the Almighty.
- Dr. Solomon Musa, Esq. Chairman, SKLF
- Solomon G. Yohanna Publicity Secretary, SKLF”
Mary Habila was 26 years old when she passed.
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