Atiku Demands Independent Probe into Death of Woman in Umahi’s Residence, Seeks Minister’s Suspension

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, who reportedly died on June 27, 2026, at the private residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
In a statement via his X Official Account Atiku expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the circumstances surrounding her death as deeply troubling. He said the family deserved not only sympathy but also the truth about how their daughter died.
The former presidential candidate criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the incident, alleging a lack of transparency and accountability. He noted that the death was not publicly disclosed by the Minister, the police or any government agency for nearly two weeks until it was reported by an online news platform.
Atiku further expressed concern that, according to available reports, no autopsy had been conducted three weeks after Habila’s death and no official cause of death had been established. He also questioned why the investigation remained under the Ebonyi State Police Command, arguing that the Minister’s political influence in the state could undermine public confidence in the outcome.
He said the continued silence of the Presidency, the Federal Executive Council, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Assembly had raised further concerns over the government’s commitment to ensuring justice.
While stressing that he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, Atiku maintained that only a credible, independent and transparent investigation could establish the facts surrounding the incident.
He argued that when a death occurs under circumstances involving a serving public official, the government has a heightened responsibility to demonstrate openness and accountability.
To restore public confidence, Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu to direct Senator Umahi to step aside from office pending the conclusion of investigations, describing the move as a standard measure of public accountability rather than a declaration of guilt.
He also urged the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, with the involvement of independent forensic experts.
In addition, the former Vice President demanded that a full, independent and internationally credible autopsy be conducted without further delay, with its findings made public.
He further called for adequate protection for Mary Habila’s family against any form of intimidation or undue influence and urged authorities to guarantee them unrestricted access to information relating to the investigation.
Atiku maintained that a transparent investigation was essential to establishing the truth and ensuring justice for the deceased and her family.