SOKAPU Sues Umahi Over Nurse’s Death, Seeks N20bn Damages

The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, follows Habila’s death on June 27 at Umahi’s residence, an incident that has sparked public concern and renewed calls for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU) has filed a suit against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to his medical team, demanding an independent autopsy and N20 billion in damages.

The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, follows Habila’s death on June 27 at Umahi’s residence, an incident that has sparked public concern and renewed calls for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Also listed as respondents are Habila’s father, Habila Tanko Wisdom, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, and the Commissioner of Police in the state.

SOKAPU is asking the court to award N20 billion against Umahi, alleging a breach of duty of care that resulted in the nurse’s death while she was under his supervision.

The group is also seeking a declaration that Habila died under “unexplained, controversial and unnatural circumstances,” arguing that the alleged removal of her body to a mortuary without first making a formal report to the police violated her constitutional right to life as guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The association further contends that the failure to conduct a prompt, independent and transparent autopsy, alongside what it describes as an inadequate police investigation, amounts to a continuing violation of her fundamental rights.

It is asking the court to direct the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State and the Commissioner of Police to facilitate an open and impartial autopsy by a panel of pathologists from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; the University College Hospital, Ibadan; and the National Hospital, Abuja.

SOKAPU also wants the court to compel the police to conclude a comprehensive investigation into the cause of Habila’s death before her body is released for burial.

The case comes weeks after the Ebonyi State Police Command announced plans to conduct an autopsy despite opposition from members of the deceased’s family. Umahi had separately written to the state police commissioner requesting that an autopsy be carried out.