…calls for Independent Probe
By Isaac Samuel
Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi from Office, pending the outcome of investigations into the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila at the minister’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
In a statement issued by his Media Office Thursday, Atiku expressed concerns over what he described as the Federal Government’s handling of the case and the delay in establishing the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death.
The former Vice President argued that Umahi’s temporary removal from office was necessary to guarantee public confidence in the investigation and demonstrate the administration’s commitment to accountability.
“President Bola Tinubu must direct the Honourable Minister of Works to step aside immediately, pending the conclusion of investigations. This is not a punishment; it is the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy,” Atiku said.
According to him, no public official facing such scrutiny should continue to oversee a federal ministry while investigations are ongoing.
Atiku said he had followed reports surrounding the death of Habila, a native of Nok in Southern Kaduna, with “deep sorrow and mounting concern,” noting that Nigerians deserved answers about what transpired.
He lamented that weeks after the incident, no autopsy had been conducted and no official cause of death had been made public.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also criticised what he described as the silence of key government institutions, including the Presidency, the Federal Executive Council, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Assembly.
“It took the courage of investigative reporting to bring this death into public view. Three weeks after her death, no autopsy has been performed. No cause of death has been established,” he said.
Atiku further expressed reservations about the decision to leave the investigation with the Ebonyi State Police Command, arguing that an inquiry conducted in the minister’s home state may struggle to command public trust.
While stressing that he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, he insisted that only a transparent and independent investigation could establish the truth.
“I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence. Only a credible, independent and transparent investigation can establish the truth,” he stated.
Beyond calling for Umahi’s suspension, Atiku urged the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to Force Headquarters and involve independent forensic experts in the process.
He also demanded an independent autopsy, with the findings released to the public, and called for protection of Habila’s family from intimidation, pressure or inducement.
“The family of Mary Habila must be protected from any pressure, inducement or intimidation, and must be guaranteed unfettered access to the facts of their daughter’s death,” he said.
Atiku maintained that every Nigerian life must matter irrespective of status, adding that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death should be thoroughly investigated in the interest of justice and public accountability.
