Umahi Gate: Northern Youths Demand Immediate Prosecution of Minister of Works Over Death of Habila
The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has demanded the immediately suspension of Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi over what it described as the suspicious death of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Miss Mary Habila, saying that the minister cannot be undergoing investigation for potential homicide while retaining the immense power, immunity, and influence of his office.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by Comrade Isah Abubakar, National President, NYCN, threatened a nationwide protest if Umahi doesn’t resign in seven days, and urged the Nigeria Police to immediately take Senator Umahi into custody for thorough questioning.
Abubakar noted that the demands of youth of the North in solidarity with all progressive civil society organisations across Nigeria, NYCN, are non-negotiable, stressing that an independent and transparent autopsy must be conducted.
“While we acknowledge the Minister’s recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we reject any investigation conducted under his influence or within facilities tied to his administration. We demand an independent, internationally witnessed autopsy to scientifically determine the exact cause of Mary Habila’s death—specifically checking for signs of physical violence, sexual assault, or forced substance ingestion.”
The statement added, “The leadership of NYCN, representing millions of young people across the nineteen northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, under the leadership of Comrade Isah Abubakar, National President, is deeply alarmed, distressed, and outraged by the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the sudden demise of 26-year-old physiotherapist, Miss Mary Habila.
Reports that have saturated the public space indicate that Mary Habila lost her life within the private residence of the current Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State. Even more disturbing are the leaked details and graphic allegations suggesting she was discovered lifeless, naked with visible physical trauma on her face.
“A healthy, vibrant 26-year-old young woman doesn’t simply drop dead under such conditions. Under any functional system of law, a death occurring under the roof of a high-profile political figure warrants immediate police detention, questioning, and an uncompromised, transparent criminal inquiry. Yet, because of the deeply skewed nature of justice in our nation, we’re witnessing a narrative delay that attempts to sweep this tragedy under the rug.
While threatening a nationwide protest if its demands are not met, Abubakar added, “If the Federal Government fails to suspend Senator Dave Umahi and initiate a credible, uncompromised prosecution process within the next seven days, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, in active partnership with allied Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and youth structures across the federation, will mobilise and shut down major public spaces in continuous, nationwide protests.”
“We’ll occupy the streets of Abuja, Kaduna, and Ebonyi State in daily, unrelenting protests until Umahi resigns or is removed to face the full wrath of the law. We won’t sit by and watch the life of another young, promising Nigerian woman be reduced to a footnote of political cover-ups.
