The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Nigeria Police Force to publicly address key questions surrounding the investigation into the death of Mary Habila, saying transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence in the case.
Drivetvnews gathered In a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organisation stressed that it was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing but was seeking clarity on issues it believes are critical to ensuring an impartial, professional and evidence-based investigation.
Mary Habila died under circumstances that have attracted widespread public attention after reports indicated that the incident occurred within premises linked to the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
RULAAC acknowledged that the police had confirmed investigations were ongoing and appealed to the public to avoid speculation, while Umahi has consistently denied any involvement and called for a forensic autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The organisation said its intervention should not be interpreted as an attempt to assign criminal responsibility to the minister or any other individual, but rather as an effort to promote accountability, due process and the rule of law.
According to RULAAC, it has received information from sources it considers credible enough to warrant official clarification, although it admitted it has not independently verified the claims.
Among the issues it wants the police to clarify are:
Whether investigators have established a verified timeline of events leading to Habila’s death.
Whether Senator Umahi was present at the residence on the night of the incident and left the following morning.
Whether the minister contacted the Director of Medical Services at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital to evacuate Habila’s body before police documentation of the scene.
Whether the crime scene was immediately secured and preserved for forensic examination.
Which police formation first responded to the incident.
What forensic procedures have been carried out.
Whether statements have been obtained from everyone present at the residence during the relevant period.
The advocacy group also referenced previous controversial incidents in Ebonyi State, including the disappearance of five engineers and the 2021 death of former Commissioner for Infrastructure and Development, Engineer Fidelis Nweze, noting that Umahi had publicly described both Nweze and Habila as people close to him.
However, RULAAC emphasised that these references were made solely to underscore the importance of conducting a thorough and transparent investigation and should not be interpreted as suggesting criminal wrongdoing.
The organisation reiterated that justice requires both accountability and fairness, stating that no one should be convicted in the court of public opinion, while no individual—regardless of status—should be shielded from lawful investigation.
RULAAC urged the Nigeria Police Force to continue providing factual updates as the investigation progresses, maintaining that only a thorough, independent and transparent inquiry can establish the truth, deliver justice where necessary and strengthen public trust in the administration of justice.
