- Says Umahi “should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation”
The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a Southern Kaduna group have called for an independent investigation into the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila at the residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The ADC, which accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of shielding senior government officials from accountability, also demanded that Umahi step aside pending the outcome of an independent inquiry, insisting that only a transparent investigation, including a forensic autopsy, could restore public confidence in the handling of the case.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death had become a matter of national concern that could not be treated as a private affair.
According to the party: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply disturbed by the unresolved circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Ms. Mary Habila, who reportedly died within the residence of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
“Every Nigerian life matters. But when a citizen dies in the home of a serving cabinet minister, the matter immediately transcends private tragedy and becomes a question of public accountability… The only acceptable response in a constitutional democracy is a thorough, transparent and independent investigation that commands public confidence.”
The ADC said the explanations released so far had failed to answer key questions surrounding the incident.
The statement partly read, “The explanations offered so far have done little to answer the questions that continue to trouble Nigerians. What exactly was the nature of Ms. Habila’s official assignment? Why was she residing in the Minister’s private residence? What were the precise circumstances leading to her death? What have investigators established so far? These are legitimate questions that can only be answered by facts and evidence, not assurances.
“We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive. This inquiry must include a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms. Habila’s death and a public report of its findings.
“This is the only way to ensure that justice is done; and it is seen to be done. Anything less will only deepen public suspicion and further erode confidence in our institutions,” ADC maintained.
The ADC also used the incident to criticise the Tinubu administration, alleging a pattern of protecting politically exposed persons whenever controversies arise.
“This case must also be viewed against an increasingly disturbing pattern in this scandal-prone government of APC under President Bola Tinubu,” the statement said.
“Time and again, whenever serious allegations arise around members of the administration, the default instinct of government is not to facilitate independent scrutiny but to build a wall of political protection around its own.”
The party further alleged that senior officials remained in office despite allegations against them.
“Appointees of President Tinubu sit pretty in their offices even as mind-blowing scandals swirl around them.”
According to the ADC, “The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability.
“It has now become impossible to ignore the impression that this administration now operates a system of scandal insurance for its senior officials, and proximity to power appears to guarantee protection from accountability.”
The opposition party insisted that Umahi should vacate office while investigations continue.
“But this is one scandal too many,” the statement continued.
“This latest scandal is not just about financial crime, it is about the death of a young lady who reportedly died in the house of a senior Minister of this government.”
“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation.”
The ADC warned that failure by President Tinubu to act would reinforce perceptions that his administration shields politically influential officials.
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu refuses to insist on this elementary principle, then Nigerians will be left with only one conclusion: that his administration has become a Cabinet of Cover-ups, where political convenience consistently takes precedence over transparency and accountability.”
The party also extended condolences to Habila’s family.
“Their daughter deserves dignity. Her family deserves the truth. And Nigeria deserves a government that understands that accountability is not an inconvenience to be managed but the very foundation of public trust.”
The ADC’s demand comes amid fresh developments in the case.
SaharaReporters earlier on Wednesday reported that Habila’s father declined to speak publicly about his daughter’s death as the family prepared to bury her on Friday in Nok, Kaduna State.
SaharaReporters learnt that Baba Habila travelled to the morgue in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Wednesday morning to receive his daughter’s body.
Meanwhile, the The group, Southern Kaduna Is Awake, said the incident has raised troubling questions that can only be resolved through a transparent and credible probe, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death have become a matter of national concern.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its spokesperson, Nasiru Jagaba, the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately direct relevant authorities to conduct an independent investigation, arguing that public confidence in the justice system depends on the willingness of authorities to establish the facts without fear or favour.
“The death of Mary Habila at the residence of a serving minister is a matter that should shake the conscience of every Nigerian who still believes in justice, accountability and the sanctity of human life,” Jagaba said.
“A young woman left her home alive and arrived at the residence of one of the most powerful public officials in the country. Within hours, she was dead. That simple fact alone demands answers.”
The group noted that reports indicating that police investigators have resisted efforts to release Habila’s body for burial and are insisting on an autopsy suggest that critical aspects of the case remain unresolved.
According to the statement, the issue transcends politics, ethnicity, religion or partisan considerations.
“This is not about politics. This is not about party affiliation. This is not about ethnicity or religion. This is about justice,” the group stated.
It argued that when a citizen dies under suspicious circumstances within the residence of a high-ranking government official, public accountability becomes even more imperative.
“Public office should never become a shield against scrutiny. The higher the office, the higher the responsibility to submit to investigation,” Jagaba said.
The advocacy group listed a number of questions it believes investigators must answer, including the purpose of Habila’s visit to the minister’s residence, who invited her, who was responsible for her welfare while she was there, and what transpired before she was allegedly found unconscious.
“Why was Mary Habila at the minister’s residence? Who invited her there? Under what arrangement was she present? What exactly happened between the time she arrived and the moment she was allegedly found unresponsive?” the statement queried.
The group described the autopsy process as essential to establishing the truth and urged authorities to ensure that it is conducted professionally and without interference.
“An autopsy is not an attack on anyone’s reputation. It is a scientific tool for discovering the truth. It protects both the deceased and those who may be wrongly accused,” Jagaba said.
The organization also called for thorough questioning of all individuals reportedly connected to the case, including a woman said to have travelled with Habila and a police officer allegedly linked to bringing the women to the residence.
While emphasizing that no one should be presumed guilty, the group insisted that no individual, regardless of status or influence, should be placed beyond investigation.
“No one should be presumed guilty. But no one should be placed above investigation,” the statement declared.
The group further expressed concern over reports that members of Habila’s family may be facing pressure regarding the demand for an autopsy, describing such allegations as disturbing and deserving of separate investigation if confirmed.
It urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain professional and independent in handling the matter.
“The police must resist any pressure from powerful interests and follow the evidence wherever it leads. They must speak for the dead because Mary Habila can no longer speak for herself,” Jagaba said.
Describing Habila as more than a name in the headlines, the group said her death has resonated deeply across Southern Kaduna and beyond.
“Mary Habila was someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, someone’s friend and someone’s hope for tomorrow. Her death has reopened painful memories of a country where too many ordinary citizens disappear into statistics while the powerful move on without accountability. That must not happen this time.”
The group called on President Tinubu to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to justice by ensuring a transparent investigation, guaranteeing witness protection where necessary, and making the findings public.
“The truth should not fear investigation. The innocent should not fear the truth. And justice should never bow before power,” the statement added.
As of press time, authorities had not released any official findings regarding the cause of Habila’s death, while public interest in the case continues to grow amid mounting calls for transparency and accountability.