Mary Habila’s Death: Kaduna youth group petitions senate, seeks independent probe

The Southern Kaduna Youth Movement (SKYM) has submitted an official petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions seeking an independent judicial panel of inquiry into the mysterious death of Miss Mary Habila.

Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist attached to the office of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, died under unclear circumstances at a residence linked to the Minister in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

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

The petition was addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and copied to several domestic and international bodies, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, diplomatic missions and human rights organisations.

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

The group acknowledged that Umahi had expressed condolences over the incident and supported the conduct of an autopsy but argued that the concerns raised by the public required a broader and independent investigation.

Among its demands, SKYM called for the establishment of an independent investigative panel involving international observers, a comprehensive forensic autopsy, protection for witnesses, and a thorough examination of all issues connected to the case.

The group also urged investigators to look into any allegations surrounding the incident and 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.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖