The decision of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice to recommend further investigation into the death of Mary Habila is a welcome development. It reinforces what Southern Kaduna Awake has consistently maintained from the very beginning: this case must not be closed until every question has been answered and justice has taken its full course.
According to the legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, investigators observed circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death that require further scrutiny. The report noted that she was reportedly found alone, lifeless, unclothed, with blood around her nose and mouth. It further indicated that there was no evidence suggesting she had been suffering from any known illness before her death. These are not ordinary circumstances. They warrant a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation.
This is precisely why we insisted that an autopsy is indispensable. An autopsy is not an attack on anyone; it is a scientific process aimed at establishing the truth. Without it, speculation will continue to overshadow justice, and confidence in the outcome of the investigation will remain weak.
We have also received reports that Mary Habila’s father, Mr. Habila, has reportedly sworn an affidavit requesting that his daughter be buried without an autopsy. If these reports are accurate, we respectfully submit that no individual, including a parent, has the legal or moral authority to obstruct a lawful criminal investigation where the cause of death remains uncertain.
The pursuit of justice belongs not only to the family but also to society. When a death occurs under circumstances that have generated significant public concern, the state has an obligation to establish the facts through lawful investigative procedures. Justice cannot depend solely on the wishes of individuals if doing so would compromise the search for the truth.
Furthermore, persistent rumours circulating in the public space alleging that the family may have been compromised should not be accepted as fact. However, neither should they be ignored. The appropriate response is not speculation but investigation. If there is credible evidence that any person attempted to influence the investigation or interfere with the administration of justice, the relevant authorities should examine those allegations objectively. If there is no evidence, those rumours should be laid to rest. Either way, only a credible investigation can provide answers.
Southern Kaduna is not demanding the conviction of anyone. We are demanding due process. We are demanding transparency. We are demanding accountability. Above all, we are demanding the truth.
The Nigeria Police, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and all relevant authorities must resist every form of pressure, regardless of its source. No one should be above the law, and no one should be permitted to frustrate a legitimate investigation.
In the interest of justice and to preserve public confidence in the integrity of this investigation, Southern Kaduna Awake calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to step aside temporarily while investigations continue. Such a decision should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt. Rather, it would demonstrate the President’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the principle that no public office should stand in the way of an impartial investigation.
The Presidency must appreciate that this case has gone beyond the death of one young woman. It has become a test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice and equality before the law. The credibility of our institutions depends on allowing investigators to perform their duties free from any real or perceived influence.
If this legitimate demand for an independent investigation continues to be ignored, Southern Kaduna Awake will exercise its constitutional right to mobilise citizens for peaceful, lawful, and non-violent protests until justice is served. Our objective is not confrontation but accountability. We seek neither unrest nor political advantage. We seek only the truth about what happened to Mary Habila and justice in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We therefore renew our call:
1. An independent forensic autopsy should be conducted without further delay.
2. Police investigations should continue until every material fact has been established.
3. The Honourable Minister of Works should step aside temporarily to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the investigation.
4. All persons connected with the events preceding Mary Habila’s death should cooperate fully with investigators.
5. Any credible allegation of interference with witnesses or the investigative process should itself be investigated.
6. The findings of the investigation should be made public to ensure transparency and restore public confidence.
7. Justice delayed weakens public trust. Justice denied undermines the rule of law. But justice pursued fearlessly strengthens democracy.
Southern Kaduna Awake will continue to stand with Mary Habila’s family, the people of Southern Kaduna, and every Nigerian who believes that no life should be treated as expendable and no suspicious death should be buried without the truth.
Justice for Mary Habila is justice for Kaduna State. Justice for Mary Habila is justice for Nigeria.
