Activist demands probe of Umahi physiotherapist’s death

Chikwado Chukwu, a visually-impaired human rights activist, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist reportedly serving Minister of Works Dave Umahi.

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Information available revealed that Habila and a colleague, Anita Baski, both from Kaduna State, arrived at Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on June 27. Habila died inside the residence the next day, June 27.

Habila died under mysterious circumstances at Umahi's residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27, a day after arriving with a colleague, Anita Baski. Both women were said to be employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works for three years. The minister's aide confirmed Habila's death and stated Umahi requested an autopsy, which the deceased's family reportedly refused.

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Neither Umahi, the Ebonyi State Police Command, nor the state government spoke publicly about the death for almost two weeks. It took an investigative report by Sahara Reporters, published on July 10, before the case became public knowledge.

However, Chukwu raised concerns about the lack of public information for nearly two weeks, with the case only coming to light after a media report. He questioned why a minister would require a personal physiotherapist at his village home for an extended period and why the initial information came from a private media outlet rather than official channels. The activist also pointed to the role of Jonathan Bawado, a serving police officer and Umahi's personal assistant, who allegedly brought the two women to the residence, suggesting this involvement warrants scrutiny.

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We call for a probe into the circumstances surrounding the death. The question is why a minister would need a physiotherapist at his village home, away from his office and any clinic for three years, and why it took a private media outfit, rather than the police or the state government to tell the public that a woman had died there.

Chukwu's statement emphasized the need for transparency and a thorough probe into the events surrounding Habila's death, particularly given the initial silence from the minister's office, the Ebonyi State Police Command, and the state government.

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We are also drawing the attention to the role of Jonathan Bawado, a serving police officer who works as Umahi’s personal assistant and previously served as his aide-de-camp during his time as Ebonyi State governor. Police sources have told the media that Bawado brought the two women to the residence. A serving police officer, running personal errands like this for a minister, is exactly the kind of investigation that should be looked into, not swept under the carpet.