ABUJA, Nigeria | July 16, 2026
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to step aside pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the death of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old woman who died at the minister’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Atiku expressed concern over what he described as the Federal Government’s silence regarding the incident, saying the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death require a transparent, credible and independent investigation.
The former Vice President also commended investigative reporting that brought the case to public attention, stating that Nigerians deserve full disclosure of the facts surrounding the incident.
According to Atiku, nearly two weeks passed before the death became public knowledge, while three weeks after the incident, no official cause of death had been announced and no autopsy results had been released.
He stressed that he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing but argued that allowing an impartial investigation to proceed was essential to maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
Atiku called on the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters in Abuja and involve independent forensic experts in the probe.
He also demanded that an independent autopsy be conducted without further delay and urged authorities to ensure the protection of Mary Habila’s family from intimidation or undue influence throughout the investigation.
According to Atiku, the case presents an important test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law, particularly when allegations involve senior public officials.
The call follows recent legal advice reportedly issued by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice, which raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death and recommended that a post-mortem examination be conducted to establish the cause of death.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had not publicly responded to Atiku’s latest demands. No court has found the minister or any other individual culpable in connection with Mary Habila’s death, and investigations remain ongoing.
