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Nigeria ministerial death investigation intensifies

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2026-07-30 13:04 UTC → 2026-08-03 19:45 UTC · added removed

Nigeria ministerial death investigation continues intensifies

The death of 26‑year‑old nurse Mary Habila on 27 June 2026 at a guest house owned by Works Minister David Umahi in Ebonyi State remains under investigation. The family, citing cultural objections, family has refused an autopsy on cultural grounds and postponed burial to 17 July, while police have transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department and are seeking sought court permission for a post‑mortem. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for an independent probe and protection for the family, and Minister Umahi has repeatedly denied foul play, urged an autopsy, describing Habila as “like a daughter” and appealing denying any foul play. He appealed for the public to refrain from speculation and for the family’s consent to a forensic examination. The police have engaged a pathologist and announced plans to withhold the body until an autopsy. Civil society autopsy is completed, prompting a petition by the family’s lawyer to the Inspector‑General of Police for immediate release of the remains. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress have called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend Umahi pending an independent probe, recommending transfer of the inquiry to the Federal Police Headquarters and protection for the victim’s family from intimidation. Civil‑society groups, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Ndigbo, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy (which later clarified Habila was not on its register), and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, have urged demanded a transparent inquiry. transparent, credible investigation. On 25 July, the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Associations (SOKAPU) filed a Federal High Court suit in Kaduna against Minister seeking ₦20 billion in damages from Umahi, his father, the Ebonyi Attorney‑General and the state Police Commissioner, seeking ₦20 billion in damages and requesting an independent forensic autopsy by pathologists experts from ABU Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital Ibadan and the National Hospital Abuja. In the days that followed, SOKAPU alleged that Minister Umahi contacted the union’s national president via WhatsApp Human‑rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN, on 28 July, threatening “to teach you a lesson of your life.” The union condemned the intimidation and 3 August, urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly federal government and security agencies to intervene, while also asking the court to bar burial Inspector‑General of Habila’s remains until a full investigation Police to take over the probe, criticizing delays and independent autopsy are completed. calling for a swift autopsy.

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  1. 2026-08-03 19:45 UTC Nigeria ministerial death investigation intensifies
  2. 2026-07-30 13:04 UTC Nigeria ministerial death investigation continues

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