The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has formally requested clarification from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on key aspects of the ongoing investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, stressing that transparency and professionalism are essential to maintaining public confidence in the probe.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organisation acknowledged the police’s public appeal for restraint and assurance that investigations were ongoing but said timely factual communication remained crucial given the widespread public interest surrounding the case.
RULAAC noted that public concern had intensified because Habila reportedly died at premises associated with the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The group observed that Umahi had publicly denied any wrongdoing and called for a forensic autopsy, while the Nigeria Police Force had confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that no criminal charges had been filed against any individual.
“Our intervention should not be construed as attributing criminal responsibility to any individual,” the statement said.
“Rather, it seeks to ensure that the investigation is conducted in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, accountability, equality before the law and internationally accepted standards for investigating suspicious deaths.”
RULAAC disclosed that it had received information from sources it considered sufficiently credible to warrant official clarification, although it said it had not independently verified the claims.
According to the organisation, it was therefore seeking clarification from the police on several issues, including whether investigators had established a verified timeline of events leading to Habila’s death, including the movements of all persons within the residence during the relevant period and reports that the minister was present on the night of the incident before leaving the following morning.
The group also asked the police to clarify reports that the minister contacted the Director of Medical Services of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital to evacuate Habila’s body after it was discovered, and whether the official declined pending police examination and documentation of the scene.
RULAAC further requested information on the measures taken to preserve the crime scene and forensic evidence, whether the scene was immediately secured, which police formation first responded to the incident, and the forensic and investigative procedures that had since been undertaken.
It also sought confirmation that statements had been obtained from all persons present at the residence during the relevant period and whether investigators had taken all necessary steps to determine the cause and circumstances of Habila’s death.
The organisation said the case had inevitably attracted heightened public attention because of previous incidents in Ebonyi State that remained matters of public concern, including the disappearance of five engineers and the 2021 death of the state’s former Commissioner for Infrastructure and Development, Engineer Fidelis Nweze.
It noted that Senator Umahi had publicly described both the late Nweze and Habila as individuals who were very close to him.
However, RULAAC stressed that the references were intended solely to underscore the need for a thorough, impartial and evidence-based investigation.
“We emphasise that these references are made solely to underscore the importance of ensuring that the present investigation is thorough, impartial, professional and evidence-based. They should not be interpreted as suggesting criminal responsibility or wrongdoing on the part of any individual,” the statement added.
The advocacy group reiterated that justice required both accountability and fairness, warning against prejudging anyone while also insisting that no person should be shielded from lawful investigation because of public office or influence.
“The credibility of the investigation will ultimately depend on its independence, transparency, scientific rigour and adherence to due process,” Nwanguma said.
RULAAC urged the Nigeria Police Force to provide factual clarification on the issues raised, keep the public appropriately informed as the investigation progresses, and ensure that every investigative decision is guided solely by the law and available evidence.
“The death of a young Nigerian under circumstances that remain unclear deserves nothing less than a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation capable of establishing the truth, delivering justice where appropriate, and strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice,” the statement concluded.
