The Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Association has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, naming Minister of Works David Umahi as a defendant in the case of Mary Habila. The nurse passed away on June 27 while serving on the minister’s medical team at his residence.
Alongside the minister, the lawsuit lists the victim’s father, Habila Tanko Wisdom, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, and the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police as respondents. The association is requesting a court order to perform an autopsy to verify the cause of death. Additionally, they are pursuing N20 billion in damages, citing a breach of the duty of care during the period the deceased was in the minister’s custody.
Prior to this lawsuit, both Minister Umahi and the Ebonyi State Police Command had expressed support for conducting an autopsy to address public concerns and clarify the circumstances of the tragedy. No court date has been scheduled yet for the proceedings, which are set to examine legal accountability and standards of care.
