CSO Sues Umahi, IGP, Others Over Mary Habila’s Death
CSO Sues Umahi, IGP, Others Over Mary Habila’s Death
A civil society organisation, the Kwechiri Unity Forum, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and three others, seeking a court order for a comprehensive investigation into the death of Mary Habila. Also named as defendants in the suit are the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Mary Habila’s father, Tanko Habila. The case was filed on July 17 by the group’s legal team, led by Eziafa Enwedo. Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the Minister of Works, was reportedly brought dead to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27 under circumstances that have generated public concern. Umahi has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly called for a forensic investigation to determine the cause of her death. In its suit, the Kwechiri Unity Forum is asking the court to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation and carry out a formal autopsy on Habila’s body. The group is also seeking an interim injunction restraining the respondents from releasing or burying the body pending the determination of the case.The CSO further requested orders directing authorities to preserve all evidence relating to Habila’s death and to comply with recognised forensic and investigative standards. It argued that public authorities have a constitutional duty to investigate suspicious or unexplained deaths impartially, regardless of the status of those involved. eanwhile, the Interfaith Youth Council of Nigeria YCN has urged Nigerians to avoid speculation and allow security agencies to carry out a transparent investigation. The group stressed that criminal responsibility can only be established through credible investigations and judicial processes. Separately, a coalition of about 300 civil society organisations announced the suspension of a planned protest against Umahi after conducting what it described as an independent review, saying it found no evidence directly implicating the minister in Habila’s death.
