Since the death of Habila, the police have neither publicly confirmed her demise nor announced an investigation into the incident. This has raised concern among Nigerians over the likelihood of a cover-up. Questions are being asked as to why the incident was kept secret for more than two weeks until a media outlet reported it.
Late last month, on the 26th of June to be precise, two ladies reportedly visited a swanky and palatial house located in Uburu, a sleepy town in Ohaozara Local Government of Ebonyi state. The ladies were identified as Mary Habbila and Anita Baski, and the house they had just arrived at is the country home residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Little did the girls, who are both from Southern Kaduna, know the home of the minister they had just visited would be the last place one of them will be on earth, and Umahi, who had been in the news for his uninspiring performance as minister, as people questioned the quality of roads being constructed under him, would find himself at the centre of a sex scandal and murder allegation.
No one can tell, at least for now, what exactly transpired between Umahi and the two ladies or what exactly the purpose of their visit to the minister was, but one of them, Habila, was found naked and dead the following day. The news of the death will not come to public knowledge until two weeks later.
Police sources quoted in the report alleged that Habbila was found unresponsive the following morning, when the two ladies arrived at the house. The sources further claimed that Jonathan Bawado, a police officer serving as Umahi’s Personal Assistant, alerted medical personnel after she was discovered.
According to SaharaReporter, medical personnel and an ambulance were sent to the residence, while the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Police Division was informed of the incident. Habila’s body was subsequently taken to a mortuary. A senior police officer, who spoke in confidence because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed that the investigation had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
This is not the first time the minister has been at the centre of a sex and homicide scandal, and the latest saga is expected to test the independence and efficiency of our institutions. Recently, a married woman accused him of demanding sex from her and refused to pay her for the job she did.
Umahi denies allegations of murder, says deceased has been her physiotherapist for 3 years
Umahi confirmed the death of Habbila in a statement by Francis Nweze, his Senior Special Assistant, on Saturday.
Umahi disclosed that Habila and Miss Anita Baski are members of staff of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, and have been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years.
Disagreement over autopsy
Umahi claimed to have called for an autopsy to ascertain the cause of Habila’s death, but the family of the deceased was said not to be in support of the move, despite the uncertainty and controversy surrounding their daughter’s death
“Following confirmation of Miss Habila’s passing, the Honourable Minister personally received her parents, conveyed his sincere condolences, and advised that an autopsy be conducted to scientifically establish the exact cause of death.
“At the time, however, the family declined the recommendation.
“It is important to clarify that Miss Mary Habila and Miss Anita Baski are employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years until the unfortunate passing of Miss Habila,” the statement reads.
Public concern mounts over police silence
Since the death of Habila, the police have neither publicly confirmed her demise nor announced an investigation into the incident. This has raised concern among Nigerians over the likelihood of a cover-up. Questions are being asked as to why the incident was kept secret for more than two weeks until a media outlet reported it.
The police must conduct a thorough and meticulous investigation into the death of Habila, as the minister has a lot of questions to answer. He is the prime suspect in the matter and should be treated accordingly.
The Minister does not have a known medical or physical need that requires two female physiotherapists to sleep over at his place. It is also important to point out that the Umahi Teaching Hospital, which he claimed deployed them to him, has no business doing so.
It is not out of place to call for the detention and interrogation of the minister pending the time the investigation into the incident is completed. This would have be normal cause of action if the person who the lady died at his home were an ordinary Nigerian.
Furthermore, the testimony and account of Habila’s friend of what actually transpired will be key to unravelling the circumstances surrounding her death.
