Reports and images circulating on social media have identified Mary Habila, a physiotherapist, as the woman who reportedly died at the residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi.
The reports also claim she was found naked, although authorities have not officially confirmed the circumstances surrounding her death.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the case.
African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has called for a coroner’s inquest into Habila’s death, insisting that all legal and forensic procedures should be completed before she is buried.
“There MUST be a coroner’s inquest into the death of Mary Habila at the residence of Tinubu’s Minister of Works, David Umahi,” Sowore wrote.
He added:
“Given the mysterious manner of her death and unanswered questions about the circumstances of her presence at the Minister’s home, it is in the interest of justice that all appropriate investigative and forensic procedures, including, where required by law, an autopsy and any other relevant inquiries, be completed before Mary Habila is buried.
“Any attempt at hurried burial by her family must be resisted. Ms. Mary Habila died with blood flowing from her mouth, which suggests that her death is unnatural.
“There have been several allegations of mysterious deaths surrounding Umahi, including those of 5 NELAN Engineers that remain unsolved to date.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Minister of Works nor relevant law enforcement authorities had publicly responded to Sowore’s allegations or provided an official account of the reported incident.
