Mary Habila’s Death: Southern Kaduna Youth Group Petitions Senate, Demands Independent Probe

The Southern Kaduna Youth Movement (SKYM) has petitioned the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, calling for an independent investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, who reportedly died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

In the petition signed by its National President, Suleiman Haruna, the group urged the National Assembly to ensure a transparent, impartial, and credible inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

‎Copies of the petition were also sent to the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, UN Women, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, and several other local and international organisations.

‎According to SKYM, Habila, identified as a physiotherapist who reportedly worked with the Federal Ministry of Works, died under what it described as suspicious circumstances at the minister’s residence in July 2026.

While acknowledging that Umahi had publicly expressed condolences and supported a forensic autopsy to determine the cause of death, the group maintained that the public interest generated by the case warranted an independent investigation beyond the ongoing police inquiry.

‎The organisation called for the constitution of an independent investigative panel with international observers, a comprehensive forensic autopsy, adequate protection for witnesses, and a thorough examination of every allegation linked to the incident.

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‎It also urged investigators to prosecute anyone found culpable if criminal liability is established.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. The people of Nigeria and the global community deserve accountability from public officials, especially those occupying positions of trust,” the petition stated.

‎Vanguard report that the petition was formally addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, with copies forwarded to the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, diplomatic missions, and several human rights organisations.

‎The death of Mary Habila has continued to attract widespread public attention. Earlier, Minister of Works David Umahi expressed sadness over the incident, endorsed a forensic autopsy to establish the cause of death, and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.