Minister Umahi Rocked by Death Scandal: Mary Habila's Mysterious Passing Fuels Allegations and Lawsuit Threats

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has strongly condemned alleged threats made by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, against Engr. Samuel Tabara Kato, the National President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Associations (SOKAPU). These alleged threats stem from a N20 billion fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit filed by SOKAPU against Umahi, demanding an independent investigation into the controversial death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, who died under unexplained circumstances at the minister's residence.

According to reports, Senator Umahi allegedly issued threats to Kato via WhatsApp messages and a phone call. One WhatsApp message, reportedly from Umahi's phone number, warned Kato: "Don't be afraid of the market u purchased. U will hear from legal authorities soonest. Continue another funny conference with CNN. U want 20bn naira over the unfortunate death of someone that u know nothing about. U will get 20bn different suits for a lesson of ur funny life." An earlier alleged call from Umahi to Kato, following news of the lawsuit and a television interview, quoted the minister as saying: "I am David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works. I saw your suit against me; you need money, right? I will teach you a lesson of your life such that you will learn never to mess with a person like me. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning, and there you are taking me to court. I will deal with you!"

SOKAPU has condemned these alleged remarks as intimidation designed to dissuade the association from pursuing legal action. The group asserts that its decision to approach the court is a constitutional right and insists that no amount of pressure will force it to abandon its demand for an independent investigation into Habila's death. The lawsuit, marked KDH/KAF/26/2026, filed in the Kaduna State High Court, names Umahi, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, and Habila's father, Mr. Habila Tanko Wisdom, as defendants. SOKAPU seeks a fresh police investigation, an independent forensic autopsy by pathologists from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the National Hospital, Abuja, and N20 billion in damages. They also demand that the Nigeria Police Force complete a comprehensive investigation before Habila's remains are released for burial, arguing that Umahi owed the deceased a duty of care while she was under his custody and supervision.

Fresh details regarding Habila's death have intensified the controversy. Police and medical sources have revealed that Habila bore signs consistent with blunt force trauma and was bleeding from her nose and mouth when taken from Umahi's residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State. She was reportedly found naked and lifeless. These details contradict earlier public accounts by the minister. Allegations also surfaced that Umahi left his residence shortly after Habila's death, leaving his aide to handle the situation, and that his alleged insistence on a swift burial was intended to prevent closer scrutiny. Umahi, however, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and publicly supported a forensic autopsy.

The dispute over the autopsy has been a central point of contention. The Ebonyi State Police Command initially insisted on a forensic autopsy based on legal advice from the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), J.U. Chukwu, who noted evidence of Habila being found naked and lifeless with blood stains. After initial opposition, Habila's family later agreed to an autopsy, provided the investigation was transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. Subsequently, Habila's remains were transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, for the planned forensic examination. However, sources alleged that attempts were made to recruit unqualified pathologists to conduct the autopsy, raising further concerns. Contact between Umahi and a man identified as Habila's boyfriend reportedly broke down following undisclosed disagreements.

RULAAC's Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated that seeking an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into an unnatural or suspicious death is a legitimate exercise of constitutional rights and a fundamental requirement of the rule of law, not an accusation of guilt. RULAAC emphasized that when an individual dies unexpectedly in the residence, custody, or care of a public official, authorities have a heightened responsibility to establish the facts through a credible investigation that can earn public trust. The organization warned that any attempt to intimidate those calling for an impartial investigation could undermine public confidence in the justice system. RULAAC urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a professional, impartial, and transparent investigation, with forensic examinations complying with international best practices and findings disclosed through appropriate legal channels. RULAAC also noted that public confidence in the investigation is crucial, especially given previous public concerns involving the minister, making it imperative for the investigation into Mary Habila's death to be demonstrably independent and capable of dispelling any perception of bias or impunity.