Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Incorporated Trustees of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Association (SOKAPU) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kaduna against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to his medical team.
In the suit, the association is seeking ₦20 billion in damages and an order directing authorities to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Habila’s death.
Habila reportedly died on June 27 at the minister’s residence, an incident that has continued to generate public interest with many calling for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Also joined in the suit are Habila Tanko Wisdom, father of the deceased, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, and the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State.
SOKAPU argued that an autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death and alleged a breach of duty of care while the deceased was under the minister’s custody.
The legal action comes amid ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.
Earlier, the Ebonyi State Police Command stated that an autopsy would be conducted despite reports of opposition from some members of the deceased’s family.
Umahi had also written to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police requesting that an autopsy be carried out as part of efforts to ascertain the cause of death.
No hearing date had been fixed as of the time of filing this report.
