Mary Habila’s mystery death: Falana insists on comprehensive investigations as police seem to drag their feet

By Kingston Magare 3.8.2026
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN, said the suspicious death of Mary Habila and that of Babatunde Tanimola must not be swept under the carpet by the government.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to as matter of national interest take over the investigations.
Mary Habila a health worker died at the country home of Nigeria’s minister of works David Umahi on June 27 in Uburu Ebonyi State. Mr. Umahi made a series of statements, which contradicted police and Ebonyi ministry of justice findings.
Sahara Reporters quoted police sources last week as saying that there were marks of blunt force trauma on Habila’s body. The publication also reported that the case has been transferred to Abuja and officers in charge in Ebonyi asked to step aside.
“These Deaths Must Not Be Swept Under the Carpet,” Mr. Falana SAN said in a statement Monday.
“The right to life is the most basic human right. Without it, other rights cannot be enjoyed by any person. On account of the sanctity of human life, the following cases of suspicious deaths must be thoroughly investigated”, Falana said.
“Even though the Minister has denied any foul play or cover-up, stating she had an existing medical condition and that the matter was reported to the police, the minister contaminated the scene of the incident by handling her phone to speak with her boyfriend.,
“In a sworn affidavit, the father of the deceased rejected an autopsy and requested the release of the body for burial. While the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have turned down the request of the father of the deceased, they have failed to explain the delay in carrying out the autopsy,” Falana said.
He said that the family of the deceased should understand that suspicious deaths are matters of public interest.
“The death of any citizen in suspicious circumstances is not a family affair. In view of the controversy surrounding the unfortunate death of Mary Habila, the Inspector-General of Police should take over the investigation. We equally call on the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure that the autopsy is conducted without any further delay.”
Speaking on the death of Tanimola the alleged go between for President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Adeniyi Adeyemi in the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council scandal, Falana noted that a lot of questions remain unanswered.
According to the police Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025, and confirmed the death through hospital and mortuary records, interviews with relatives, the hotel proprietor and burial documentation.
“As the source of the suspicious fire was being questioned in the media, it was reported that the hotel has since been demolished. Whoever authorised the demolition of the hotel must have set out to cover up the alleged fire incident.
“The media should therefore join the demand for the investigation of the aforementioned cases of suspicious deaths. They must not be swept under the carpet,” he said.