Mary Habila’s Death: Kaduna Youth Group petitions senate, seeks independent probe

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

A youth group, the Southern Kaduna Youth Movement (SKYM), has petitioned the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, seeking an independent investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, who reportedly died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

In the petition signed by its National President, Suleiman Haruna, the group urged the National Assembly to facilitate a transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

The petition, which was also copied to several local and international organisations, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, UN Women, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, called for accountability in the matter.

According to SKYM, Habila, identified as a physiotherapist who reportedly worked with the Federal Ministry of Works, was allegedly found dead under circumstances it described as suspicious at the minister’s residence in July 2026.

The group acknowledged that Umahi had expressed condolences over the incident and supported the conduct of an autopsy but argued that the concerns raised by the public required a broader and independent investigation.

Among its demands, SKYM called for the establishment of an independent investigative panel involving international observers, a comprehensive forensic autopsy, protection for witnesses, and a thorough examination of all issues connected to the case.

The group also urged investigators to look into any allegations surrounding the incident and prosecute anyone found culpable if criminal liability is established.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. The people of Nigeria and the global community deserve accountability from public officials, especially those occupying positions of trust,” the petition stated.

The petition was addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and copied to several domestic and international bodies, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, diplomatic missions and human rights organisations.

The death of Mary Habila has continued to attract public attention, with the Minister of Works earlier expressing sadness over the incident and supporting a forensic autopsy to determine the cause of death while urging security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.

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