Mary Habila’s Death: Atiku Asks Tinubu To Suspend Umahi Pending Probe

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to temporarily step aside while investigations continue into the death of Mary Habila, the nurse who died at a guest house within the minister's private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

Atiku made the call in a statement on Thursday, stressing that his position should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against the minister but as a measure to guarantee public confidence in the ongoing investigation.

"I make no pronouncement on anyone's guilt or innocence. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth," he said.

Mary Habila, a medical professional from Nok in Southern Kaduna, reportedly died on June 27, 2026, while she was part of a medical team accompanying Umahi to his hometown in Ebonyi State.

Expressing condolences to her family, Atiku described her death as a tragedy and said the circumstances surrounding the incident required a transparent and impartial investigation.

"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," he said.

The former vice president criticised what he described as the Federal Government's handling of the matter, alleging that there had been insufficient public communication since the incident became public.

According to him, concerns have continued to grow following reports that an autopsy has yet to be conducted and that the investigation remains with the Ebonyi State Police Command.

He also questioned what he described as the silence of key government institutions, including the Presidency, the Federal Executive Council, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Assembly.

Atiku further argued that public confidence would be strengthened if the Federal Government ensured that the investigation was conducted independently and transparently.

He therefore urged President Tinubu to direct Umahi to temporarily step aside while investigations continue.

"This is not a punishment; it is the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy. No official under this cloud should preside over a federal ministry as though it were business as usual," he said.

The former vice president also called on the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters and involve independent forensic experts.

According to him, such a move would enhance public confidence in the outcome of the investigation.

Atiku further demanded what he described as a full, independent and internationally credible autopsy to establish the cause of Mary Habila's death, urging that the findings be made public.

He also called on authorities to ensure that the deceased's family is protected from any form of pressure, intimidation or inducement and granted full access to information relating to the investigation.

The Ebonyi State Police Command has already confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu recently disclosed that the command considers a post-mortem examination necessary to establish the cause of death scientifically, although the deceased's family had initially indicated reservations about an autopsy. The command said it is awaiting the presence of the family or their authorised representatives before proceeding.

Umahi has also publicly denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly expressed support for a thorough investigation.

The minister previously explained that Habila suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed her death. He has also announced plans to institute legal action against individuals he accused of circulating false and defamatory claims regarding the incident.

Authorities have yet to announce the cause of Mary Habila's death, while investigations remain ongoing.