Lawsuit Filed Over Mary Habila's Death Against Umahi and Police

A civil society group called Kwechiri Unity Forum has taken legal action against Minister of Works David Umahi and Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, among others, over the death of Mary Habila.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Ms Habila, a nurse who worked with Mr Umahi, was brought dead to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27.

Besides the IGP and Mr Umahi, other defendants include the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Tanko Habila, the father of the deceased.

The CSO filed the lawsuit through its lawyer Eziafa Enwedo at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17, as shown in a court document seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

The group wants the court to order the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force to look into Ms Habila’s death and perform a formal autopsy on her body.

They also want the court to declare that public authorities must protect evidence that can help with investigations into unexplained deaths.

The CSO insists that the investigation into Ms Habila’s death should be fair, no matter who has important information about it.

The group requested the court to give an interim order stopping the respondents from "releasing, burying, interring, cremating or otherwise disposing of the body of the late Mary Habila pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit."

They also asked the court to make the respondents keep all evidence related to Ms Habila’s death safe until the investigation is completed.

Additionally, they requested the court to ensure the respondents follow "recognised forensic and investigative standards where appropriate."

Reasons for the Lawsuit

The CSO said it filed this lawsuit because it is a public interest group and that credible media reports have raised significant public concern about the matter.

They argued that the Nigerian Constitution places a "positive obligation" on the government to protect and ensure proper investigations into suspicious deaths.

Background Information

On June 27, Mary Habila reportedly died under unclear circumstances at Mr Umahi's home, who is a former governor of Ebonyi State.

Ms Habila was part of the medical team working with the minister and had gone with him to his hometown in Uburu, where she allegedly died in a room in his house.

In July, the works minister denied any cover-up regarding the nurse’s death, saying the police had been informed for an investigation.

He later asked the police to perform an autopsy on the body of the 26-year-old nurse to find out the real cause of her death.

The family opposed the autopsy and set the burial date for July 17, but the police insisted on proceeding with it.

Police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, stated on Wednesday that the police are waiting for the family or their representative, as required, before the autopsy can happen.

Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police, promised that the investigation would be "thorough, transparent, and impartial" and that updates would be shared as the case moves forward.

Mr Umahi has also denied any involvement in the nurse's death, claiming her boyfriend said she was sick before arriving in Ebonyi.

The minister urged Ms Habila’s family to reconsider their refusal of the autopsy, saying the post-mortem would clarify the actual cause of her death amid rising allegations of foul play.

But the family later wrote to the IGP, asking for the immediate release of Ms Habila’s body for burial.