Di Nigerian Women International Alliance (NWIA) don call on President Bola Tinubu to make sure say dem carry out independent, transparent and credible investigation into di death of physiotherapist Mary Habila. Di woman reportedly die for di residence of Minister of Works David Umahi, and di matter don spark public concern.
For an open letter wey dem date July 13, 2026, and wey di organisation President Mrs. Omolara Abike, Vice President Mrs. Ogonna Chiedum, and Secretary Dr. Mariam Adeosun sign, NWIA talk say while investigations dey go on, di circumstances surrounding di incident need thorough and impartial probe to strengthen public confidence for di justice system.
Di group stress say dem no dey accuse anybody of wrongdoing, noting say every Nigerian get right to constitutional presumption of innocence and due process. According to di organisation: “Di reported death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist, for di residence of di Honourable Minister of Works don generate significant public concern and deserve thorough, independent, professional and transparent investigation.”
Dem add: “Dis letter no be attempt to pronounce anybody guilty. Every Nigerian get right to constitutional presumption of innocence and di protection of due process. However, di higher di public office, di greater di obligation to submit to transparent scrutiny.”
NWIA say dia concerns also come from other complaints and public allegations wey don dey associated with di minister over time, although dem emphasise say such allegations no don establish as facts. “We no dey present those allegations as established facts. Rather, we believe say where multiple concerns arise regarding a public official, di appropriate response be say competent authorities go investigate any credible complaints fairly and independently,” di group state.
Di organisation argue say transparent investigations into matters involving public officials go strengthen, instead of weaken, government institutions. Dem warn say failure to conduct open and credible investigation fit reduce public confidence for government institutions, discourage victims and witnesses from reporting alleged misconduct, damage Nigeria’s reputation for good governance and rule of law, erode investor confidence and deepen political divisions.
NWIA urge President Tinubu to make sure say di investigation into Habila’s death proceed without interference and according to law. Di group also call for preservation and proper examination of forensic evidence, including autopsy report, protection for witnesses and complainants against intimidation, respect for constitutional rights of all parties, and transparency for handling of di investigation findings.
Addressing di President, di organisation say: “Your legacy no go measure by whether allegations arise during your administration. E go measure by whether your administration make sure say di law apply equally to everybody, regardless of office or influence.” While reaffirming dia support for Tinubu administration efforts to promote national development, NWIA urge di President to show say no public official dey above accountability and say every Nigerian life get equal protection under di law.
