By Barth Ikiebe
The Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN), the foremost parliamentary voice of northern youths, has expressed outrage over the mysterious death of Miss Mary Habila, reportedly on 27 June 2026 at the residence of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Addressing Newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the spokesman of the group, Mr Shuaib Ishaq Yahya, said the death of any Nigerian under suspicious circumstances is a matter of national concern.
“However, when such a tragedy allegedly occurs within the private residence of a serving cabinet Minister, the Nigerian people deserve nothing less than a full, transparent, independent, and credible investigation”, he noted.
Mr Yahya stated that anything short of this would further weaken public confidence in the justice system and reinforce the dangerous perception that powerful public officials are beyond accountability.
“While we have noted the public explanation offered by the Minister, which states that the late Mary Habila was an employee of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences who had been seconded as a physiotherapist to the Federal Ministry of Works, this explanation raises important questions that only a transparent investigation can answer”, he queried.
According to him, “If Miss Mary Habila was officially assigned in that capacity, what official assignment brought her to the Minister’s private residence? Was she carrying out government duties? If so, what specific responsibilities required her presence there? Why was she reportedly at the residence overnight? Who was present before, during, and after the incident? What exactly transpired before her death?”
“The Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria therefore calls on the management of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, to immediately make public the employment records of the late Mary Habila, the nature of her appointment, and any official documentation confirming her alleged secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works. Nigerians deserve clarity, not speculation”.
“We equally call on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that this investigation is completely independent, transparent, professional, and free from political influence or interference. Every individual connected with the events leading to Miss Mary Habila’s death must be thoroughly investigated. All available evidence, including forensic reports, medical findings, witness statements, CCTV footage where available, communication records were lawfully obtained, and every relevant material, must be examined without fear or favour”, Yahya stated.
“Furthermore, we note the decision of the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a post-mortem examination on the remains of the late Mary Habila. Given the enormous public interest in this case, the credibility of the post-mortem process is of paramount importance and therefore respectfully call on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that the autopsy is conducted in a transparent and professionally supervised manner by allowing independent observers from reputable civil society organisations, the National Human Rights Commission, and, where appropriate, representatives of the family to witness the process in accordance with the law and established medical protocols”.
The NYAN spokesman said that such transparency would strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the findings and help ensure that the outcome is widely accepted as credible, impartial, and free from any perception of undue influence.
“We further urge the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, women’s rights groups, youth organisations, and all defenders of justice to closely monitor this investigation to ensure that justice is not compromised”, he advised.
According to him, the Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria stands firmly with the family of Mary Habila during this painful period and prayed that Almighty God grants them comfort, strength, and the courage to endure this irreparable loss.
“We call on all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding while demanding transparency throughout the investigative process. Our demand is simple and non-negotiable: let the truth prevail, let justice be served, and let no one be above the law” Yahya concluded.
The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has agreed for an autopsy to be carried out to determine the cause of death.
