Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to take over the investigation into the death of nurse Mary Habila, who was found dead in a room at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Speaking on the matter, Falana alleged that the integrity of the crime scene was compromised after the minister reportedly handled Habila’s mobile phone and used it to contact her boyfriend following the incident.
According to Falana, Habila’s father had requested the immediate release of her body for burial and opposed the conduct of an autopsy. However, he said the police declined the request but have yet to provide reasons for the delay in carrying out the autopsy.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.
Falana also called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to intervene and ensure that the autopsy is conducted without further delay to help establish the cause of death.
“The minister contaminated the scene of the incident by handling her phone to speak with her boyfriend,” Falana was quoted as saying.
The case has continued to generate public interest, with calls from various quarters for a credible and impartial investigation.
