Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, urging Nigerians to allow due process to take its course while rejecting what it described as the premature campaign to force the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, out of office.
In a statement issued on July 17, 2026, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death require a professional forensic investigation rather than political speculation, insisting that no one should be declared culpable before the facts are established.
The statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, expressed condolences to Habila’s family and described her death as a painful national tragedy.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has received with profound sadness the news of the tragic death of Miss Mary Habila, a member of the medical support team attached to the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, CON,” the statement read.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and loved ones over this painful and irreparable loss. The death of such a young and promising Nigerian is a tragedy to all men and women of good conscience. We pray that Almighty God grants her eternal rest and gives her family the strength and fortitude to bear this heartbreaking loss.”
The group said the incident should be handled with dignity and compassion, warning against comments capable of prejudicing ongoing investigations or fuelling unnecessary public tension.
“This unfortunate incident involves the loss of a human life and, as such, deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and compassion. It is therefore imperative that all Nigerians exercise restraint and avoid actions or utterances capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation or causing unnecessary public anxiety,” it stated.
Ohanaeze also urged politicians, pressure groups and public commentators to avoid exploiting the tragedy for political purposes.
“Matters involving the loss of human life should never be exploited for political advantage or sectional interests. Such conduct neither serves the cause of justice nor honours the memory of the deceased,” it said.
The organisation noted that Senator Umahi had already publicly requested a comprehensive forensic autopsy and investigation into Habila’s death, describing that position as appropriate and deserving of support.
“We note that the Honourable Minister of Works has publicly called for a comprehensive forensic autopsy and investigation to establish the true cause and circumstances surrounding Miss Habila’s death. This is a responsible position that should be encouraged, as every suspicious or unexplained death deserves a thorough, professional and transparent investigation in accordance with the law.”
Backing the ongoing investigation, Ohanaeze expressed confidence that the relevant authorities would conduct the process without interference.
“Accordingly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide fully supports the ongoing investigation by the relevant authorities and expects that it will be conducted impartially, professionally and without interference. The outcome of such investigation should be guided solely by facts, scientific evidence and due process.”
The group, however, faulted growing calls for the Minister of Works to resign or step aside, insisting that such demands lack justification while investigations are still ongoing.
“In the same vein, we consider the calls in some quarters for the resignation or stepping aside of the Honourable Minister of Works to be premature, unnecessary and without sufficient justification at this stage.
“The mere fact that a death occurred within the premises where an individual resides or is present does not, in itself, establish culpability or warrant demands for resignation. Such an unfortunate occurrence could happen in any person’s home or environment, and responsibility can only be determined through a credible investigation based on evidence.”
Ohanaeze stressed that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty, warning against imposing political consequences before investigators conclude their work.
“Nigeria remains a nation governed by the rule of law and the constitutional principle that every citizen is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. It would therefore be inconsistent with the ideals of justice and fairness to impose political consequences before the relevant authorities have concluded their investigations and established the facts.”
The organisation called on Nigerians to remain calm and allow investigators to establish the truth through evidence rather than speculation.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide therefore calls on all Nigerians to remain calm, allow the investigative process to run its full course, and refrain from speculative narratives capable of undermining public confidence in our institutions or prejudicing the search for truth.”
It added that its thoughts remain with Habila’s family and expressed hope that the investigation would uncover the truth and ensure justice is ultimately served.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Miss Mary Habila. We trust that the ongoing investigation will uncover the truth, provide the family with the answers they deserve, and ensure that justice, guided by evidence and due process, is ultimately served,” the statement concluded.
