The President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Associations (SOKAPU), Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, has alleged that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, threatened him over the association’s lawsuit seeking an independent investigation into the controversial death of 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila.
Kato made the allegation during an emergency press conference on Tuesday, claiming the minister contacted him through a WhatsApp call on July 28, 2026, shortly after learning about the legal action and his recent interview on Channels Television concerning Habila’s death.
According to the SOKAPU president, Umahi introduced himself before allegedly issuing a series of threats over the court case.
“I am David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works. I saw your suit against me, you need money right? I will teach you a lesson of your life such that you will learn never to mess with person like me. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning and there you are taking me to court. I will deal with you!”
Kato alleged that the minister disconnected the call immediately after making the remarks.
Condemning the alleged conversation, SOKAPU described it as an attempt to intimidate its leadership and frustrate its pursuit of justice over the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death.
“Our decision to seek judicial intervention and file a suit is entirely within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution and is meant to protect the dignity and rights of our people. No intimidation will work in this matter,” the association said.
The group maintained that it would not relent in its demand for a transparent and independent investigation, insisting that lingering questions surrounding the death could only be resolved through a credible forensic examination.
“We demand a proper, independent autopsy to clear all doubts surrounding the circumstances of her death, rather than a hurried burial without proper medical answers.”
SOKAPU also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take note of the alleged threats against its president and ensure that justice is served.
The allegations come days after the association instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Kaduna State High Court against Umahi, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and Mary Habila’s father, Mr. Habila Tanko Wisdom.
In the suit, marked KDH/KAF/26/2026, SOKAPU is seeking an order compelling an independent forensic autopsy, a fresh police investigation and ₦20 billion in damages over Habila’s death, which the association said occurred under “unexplained, controversial and unnatural circumstances” at the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on or about June 27, 2026.
According to the suit, Habila’s body was allegedly moved to a mortuary without any formal report being made to the Nigeria Police Force.
The association is asking the court to direct that an independent autopsy be conducted by pathologists drawn from the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the National Hospital, Abuja.
It is also seeking an order compelling the Nigeria Police Force to carry out a comprehensive investigation before the deceased is buried.
In addition, SOKAPU is demanding ₦20 billion in damages against the minister, arguing that Umahi owed the deceased a duty of care while she was allegedly under his custody and supervision.
The lawsuit has continued to attract national attention, with growing public calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death.
