The Nigerian Women International Alliance (NWIA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure an independent, transparent and credible investigation into the death of a physiotherapist, Mary Habila, whose reported death at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has sparked public concern.

In an open letter dated July 13, 2026, and signed by its President, Mrs Omolara Abike, Vice President, Mrs Ogonna Chiedum, and Secretary, Dr Mariam Adeosun, the organisation said that while investigations were ongoing, the circumstances surrounding the incident required a thorough and impartial probe to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.

The group stressed that it was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, noting that every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence and due process.

The organisation said: “The reported death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist, at the residence of the Minister of Works has generated significant public concern and deserves a thorough, independent, professional and transparent investigation.

“This letter is not an attempt to pronounce anyone guilty. Every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence and the protection of due process. However, the higher the public office, the greater the obligation to submit to transparent scrutiny.”

NWIA said its concerns were also informed by other complaints and public allegations that had, over time, been associated with the minister. However, it emphasised that such allegations had not been established as facts.

MEANWHILE, reacting to the reports on the alleged death of Habila at his home in Ebonyi State, the minister said it was the deceased’s family who forced open her room after becoming concerned and rushed her to the hospital, dismissing claims that the death of the nurse was shrouded in secrecy.

Umahi spoke on Monday while inspecting the ongoing project along the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja superhighway.
He noted that the incident was promptly reported to the police, adding that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted with the consent of the deceased’s parents.

“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), who took her to the hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” Umahi said.

Umahi said he has asked his lawyers to take legal action against individuals spreading what he described as false reports about the nurse’s death. He described the deceased as a dedicated employee of DUFUTH.

The minister said the deceased’s parents, currently in Ebonyi, would address journalists and also institute legal proceedings against those spreading the alleged falsehood.