By Osaretin Osadebamwen, Abuja
Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has commissioned two individuals to monitor the social media and harvest all relevant posts to challenge allegations of foul play regarding the death of Mary Habila on his premises.
The minister clarified that the late Miss Habila was a Nurse, not a physiotherapist as has been repeatedly alleged online.
Umahi stated that the viral image of Habila was taken by a policeman at the mortuary where bodies are routinely unclothed but digital activists have misused the image to spread false speculation about her death.
Umahi emphasized that Habila was like a daughter to him, having lived with him and his family for three years.
The minister who spoke for the first time after two weeks of Miss Habila death said
“The lady in question was like a daughter to me. She stayed with me for three years. She was a staff member of the Federal University of Health Sciences and worked as a nurse, not a physiotherapist.
“Her family and my family are very close. She had been receiving treatment at Turkish Hospital, with all her medical bills paid by us. Her medical records are there.
“She spoke with her boyfriend shortly before her death and complained that she was bleeding from the nose. The boyfriend advised her to seek medical attention immediately. She replied that the bleeding had stopped.
“He insisted he would end the call because continuing the conversation could worsen the situation. She asked him not to hang up, but he eventually did. About three minutes later, he called back, but she did not answer.
“Earlier that morning, she had told her boyfriend she was going to take a bath after locking her door. When she did not respond, the door was forced open, and she was found dead. The tap was still running.
Umahi wondered how the public are being seated by the posts and comments on the social media to make him responsible for her death.
“What baffles me is how every unfortunate incident in this country becomes an opportunity for politics. The guest house where she stayed, along with another medical staff member, is far from where I live.
“Does it mean that if someone dies in the Ministry of Works, the minister must automatically be held responsible? Is that what people are suggesting?
“Have they checked her medical records? Do they know she was like a daughter to me?
“I urge people to be careful. Life is spiritual. When people use the unfortunate death of a young woman to play politics, they should be mindful of the consequences. If we had any hand in her death, let it follow us and our families. But if we are innocent and people falsely accuse us, they should also be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
“She was one of my best workers a dedicated nurse and staff member. Some people have even spread false information about her and the other staff member. The second lady is from Benue State and had worked with me when I was governor before she was employed.
“I am deeply pained by her death. She will be difficult to replace.
“We pleaded with her parents to allow an autopsy, but they said it was against their culture. I ask: if she were a Muslim, would people still insist on an autopsy?
“Nevertheless, through my lawyer, we insisted that an autopsy should be carried out, and I have directed that her body should not be released until it is done.
“It is unfortunate that such a tragic incident is being politicised. She was not someone who posed any threat to me. She was one of the medical personnel attending to us in the guest house and at my residence in Asokoro. So, what is the basis for these allegations? The minister asked.
“People should be careful. Whenever I pray, I ask God that those using her death for political gain should reflect on their actions. If we are guilty, let justice take its course. But if we are innocent, false accusations should not go unpunished.
“The matter is under investigation. We have reported it to the Inspector-General of Police and requested that the case be transferred to Abuja. I am also appealing to the family to meet with the Inspector-General so they can be persuaded to allow the autopsy.
“Her medical records at Turkish Hospital are available. The last treatment was on April 5, and it cost me ₦2.2 million, which I personally paid.
“It pains me because she was like a daughter to me. I also find it unfortunate that some people wrongly described her as a physiotherapist and misrepresented the facts. The staff members travelled with me on the same flight to Lagos. This was not the first time we had travelled together.
“Her boyfriend also confirmed that during a previous trip to Lagos for the coastal highway project, she called him to report another episode of nose bleeding. He advised her to inform me so she could return to the hospital, but she reportedly said she did not want to bother me. He then urged her to find a nearby hospital.
“I have asked the police to examine both her call records and those of her boyfriend. The last conversation they had took place shortly before her death. When he tried calling back, she did not answer.” The call logs will provide the necessary details, the minister stated
