TD The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has publicly addressed reports concerning the tragic death of a young woman, Mary Habila, in his residence, describing her as “like a daughter” and rejecting insinuations of foul play.
The incident has sparked widespread attention, with questions raised about the circumstances surrounding her passing and calls for an autopsy to determine the cause.
Background of the Deceased
Umahi, during a press conference, explained that the deceased, identified as a nurse at the Federal Medical University, had lived with his family for three years.
He clarified that contrary to some reports, she was not a physiotherapist but a nurse, and her family had close ties with his own.
According to him, her medical records were kept at Turkish Hospital, with expenses covered by his household.
Events Leading to Her Death
Narrating the final hours before her death, Umahi said the young woman spoke to her boyfriend, complaining of bleeding.
The boyfriend reportedly ended the call, fearing that continued conversation might worsen her condition.
When he called back minutes later, she was unresponsive.
By morning, her door was forced open, and she was found dead, with the bathroom tap still running.
Umahi expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing her as one of his “best workers” and lamenting that her death was “very painful” and “difficult to replace.”
Minister’s Reaction to Allegations
The Minister strongly criticized attempts to politicize the tragedy, warning against using the unfortunate incident for political gain.
“What baffles me in this country is that everything becomes an opportunity… When you want to use the unfortunate death of a young girl to play politics, be careful. Life is spiritual,” he said.
He further stated:
“If we have hands in the killings, it will follow us in our family.
“But if we don’t have hands and you are jumping into it, behold this is David.
“I’m a man of full grace—you don’t tackle me anyhow and go out of it.”
Umahi rejected suggestions that his position as Minister automatically made him accountable for the incident.
He stressed that the deceased was like family to him and that her death should not be turned into a political weapon.
Autopsy Controversy
A major point of contention has been the call for an autopsy.
Umahi revealed that his family had been urging the deceased’s parents to allow the procedure, but they declined, citing cultural reasons.
He insisted that an autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death.
He noted that his lawyers had already been directed to pursue the matter.
“We are begging the parents to allow autopsy to happen. They say it’s against their culture.
“But the question is, if she were Muslim, would you be insisting that autopsy will happen? Only God will resolve it,” Umahi said.
According to reports, the family of the deceased has formally opposed the autopsy and called for an end to the investigation.
It cited cultural sensitivities and their desire to mourn in peace.
Many Questions, Few Answers
The tragic death has left many unanswered questions, with the Minister calling for restraint and respect for the deceased’s memory.
While he insists on an autopsy to clarify the circumstances, the family’s opposition highlights the cultural and emotional complexities surrounding the case.
For now, the matter remains unresolved, with both sides holding firm positions. As Umahi put it, “Only God will resolve it.”
