Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to step aside pending the outcome of investigations into the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila.
PUNCH Online reports that Habilal, a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, died on June 27 in a residence linked to the minister in Ebonyi State.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, Atiku expressed condolences to Habila’s family and criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s handling of the case, saying Nigerians deserved a transparent investigation.
“I have followed with deep sorrow and mounting concern the reports surrounding the death of Miss Mary Habila, a 26-year-old Nigerian from Nok, Southern Kaduna,” he said.
He added, “First, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Habila family. No family should have to mourn a daughter taken in the prime of her life while also fighting simply to learn the truth of how she died.”
Atiku said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death required an independent and credible investigation, stressing that he was not making any determination on anyone’s culpability.
“Let me be clear: I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence. That is precisely the point. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth,” he said.
He argued that where a death involves a senior public official, the government has a responsibility to ensure public confidence in the investigative process.
“A government’s first duty is the protection of life. Where a life is lost in circumstances touching a high official of state, the burden on government to act transparently is at its heaviest,” he said.
The former Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate called on Tinubu to ask Umahi to temporarily vacate office while investigations continue.
“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.
He also urged the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to the Force Headquarters and involve independent forensic experts.
“The Inspector-General of Police must immediately transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Command to Force Headquarters, with the involvement of independent forensic experts,” he said.
Atiku further called for an independent autopsy and asked that the findings be made public.
“A full, independent, and internationally credible autopsy must be conducted without further delay, with the findings made public,” he said.
He also urged the authorities to ensure the protection of Habila’s family throughout the investigation.
“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 added.
Atiku concluded by saying that accountability should apply equally to all public officials.
“The measure of a nation is how it responds when the powerful are touched by tragedy and the powerless demand truth,” he said.
Habila’s death has attracted public attention in recent days, with several groups calling for an independent investigation.
Umahi had earlier publicly supported the conduct of a forensic autopsy, while his lawyers formally requested the Ebonyi State Police Command to ensure that a comprehensive post-mortem examination is carried out before the body is released for burial.
The minister’s legal team also stated that Habila was staying in accommodation reserved for staff members and associates, not in his personal residence, and said they were seeking a transparent investigation to establish the cause of her death.
The family of the deceased has asked an Ebonyi State court to withdraw the police investigation into her death and also refused to allow an autopsy on her body.
Her father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit dated July 13 and filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, adding that the family did not suspect foul play in her death.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing, and no official findings on the cause of death have yet been released.