Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
A Rights group, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has formally requested clarification from the Nigeria Police Force on critical issues relating to the ongoing investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila.
The Executive Director of the RULAAC, My Okechukwu Nwangwuma revealed this in an exclusive chat with our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State Capital on Sunday.
Circumstances surrounding Miss Habila’s death have generated significant public concern because the incident reportedly occurred within premises associated with the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. The Minister has publicly denied any wrongdoing and has called for a forensic autopsy, while the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that no criminal charges have been filed against any person.
Nwanguma, while acknowledging the Nigeria Police Force’s appeal for public restraint and its assurance that investigations are ongoing, believes that transparency, professionalism and timely factual communication are essential to maintaining public confidence in an investigation that has attracted widespread national attention.
According to him, the group’s intervention should not be perceived as attributing criminal responsibility to any individual, but to ensure that the investigation is conducted in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, accountability, equality before the law and internationally accepted standards for investigating suspicious deaths.
He revealed that the group has informed the Nigeria Police Force that it has received information from sources considered sufficiently credible to warrant official clarification.
He said even though the RULAAC is not in a position to independently verify the information, it thinks it is appropriate to seek clarification from the competent investigative authority.
The group sought clarification on whether investigators have established a verified timeline of events, including the presence and movements of all persons within the residence during the period surrounding Miss Habila’s death, including reports that the Minister was present on the night of the incident and departed the following morning.
“RULAAC also wants the public to be told whether it is correct that, following the discovery of Miss Habila’s death, the Minister contacted the Director of Medical Services of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital to evacuate the body, and whether the Director declined pending police examination and documentation of the scene. If so, what measures were taken to preserve the scene and relevant forensic evidence?
“We want to know whether the scene was secured immediately, which Police formation first responded to the incident, and what forensic and investigative procedures have since been undertaken.
“Also, whether statements have been obtained from all persons present within the residence during the relevant period and whether all necessary investigative steps have been taken to establish the cause and circumstances of Miss Habila’s death,” Nwanguma said.
The RULAAC boss further noted that the circumstances surrounding Miss Habila’s tragic death have attracted heightened public interest because of previous incidents in Ebonyi State that remain subjects of public concern, including the disappearance of five engineers and the 2021 death of the then Commissioner for Infrastructure and Development, Engineer Fidelis Nweze.
Nwanguma said, “It has also been publicly reported that Senator Umahi referred to both the late Engineer Nweze and Miss Habila as persons very close to him.
“We emphasize that these references are made solely to underscore the importance of ensuring that the present investigation is thorough, impartial, professional and evidence-based. They should not be interpreted as suggesting criminal responsibility or wrongdoing on the part of any individual.
“RULAAC reiterates that justice requires both accountability and fairness. No person should be convicted in the court of public opinion, just as no person, regardless of office or influence, should be insulated from lawful investigation. The credibility of the investigation will ultimately depend on its independence, transparency, scientific rigour and adherence to due process.
“We respectfully urge the Nigeria Police Force to provide factual clarification on these issues, continue to keep the public appropriately informed as investigations progress, and ensure that every investigative decision is guided solely by law and evidence.
“The death of a young Nigerian under circumstances that remain unclear deserves nothing less than a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation capable of establishing the truth, delivering justice where appropriate, and strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice.”
