Former Minister of Youths, Solomon Dalung, has called for probe over the circumstances that surrounded the death of a nurse, Mary Habila, at the Ebonyi state’s residence of the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi.
Habila reportedly died at Umahi’s compound with the cause of her death relatively unknown.
While the Minister had since directed that an autopsy by conducted on the deceased nurse to know the cause of her death, Dalung, in a statement issued on his X handle on Tuesday called for thorough and transparent investigation.
The ex-minister demanded that the investigation unravel how Habila died, people who were with her before she died, and the result of the autsopy.
“A young woman, Mary Habila, left her home alive. Today, she is dead. She didn’t die on a lonely highway or in a remote village.
“She died in the residence of a serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whether you like David Umahi or not is irrelevant.
“Whether you belong to APC, PDP, ADC , NDC or any other political party is also irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that a Nigerian died under circumstances that are still not clear.
“The Minister has denied any wrongdoing and has said he wants a thorough investigation. That is his right. But Nigerians also have a right to ask questions.
“How did she die? What will the autopsy reveal? Who was with her before she died? Will the investigation be transparent enough for the public to trust its outcome?
“These are not disrespectful questions. They are necessary ones.” He wrote.
Dalung expressed displeasure over division in opinion among Nigerians over the case as he alleged that some group already convicted Umahi without waiting for investigation while other absolved him.
He held that justice should depend on facts rather than emotions and political loyalty.
“What worries me is how quickly we have become divided. One group has already convicted the Minister without waiting for the investigation.
“Another group has already absolved him simply because of his position. Both extremes are dangerous. Justice should never depend on emotions or political loyalty.
“It should depend on facts. If David Umahi has nothing to do with her death, then a transparent investigation should establish that beyond reasonable doubt.” He said.
Dalung demanded that the law take its course over the incident.
“If anyone is responsible, regardless of status or office, the law should take its course. That is how serious nations work. Mary Habila is no longer here to tell her own story.
“The least we owe her is to insist that the truth is not buried with her. No cover-up. No witch-hunt. Just the truth. Because tomorrow, it could be anyone’s daughter.” He said.