DistantNews
Support us
CSOs, Northern Youth Reject Calls for Minister Umahi’s Resignation, Demand Probe
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

CSOs, Northern Youth Reject Calls for Minister Umahi’s Resignation, Demand Probe

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Civil society groups and Northern youth have rejected calls for the resignation of Works Minister David Umahi.
  • They are demanding a thorough investigation into the death of nurse Mary Habila, who reportedly died at the minister's residence.
  • The groups argue that demanding resignation before an investigation concludes constitutes "trial by media" and undermines justice.

A coalition of civil society organizations and the Northern Youth Association of Nigeria has publicly rejected demands for the resignation of Works Minister David Umahi. The calls for his resignation are linked to the death of a 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, who reportedly died on June 27 at the minister's private residence in Ebonyi State.

Our gathering today is not intended to trivialise the unfortunate death of Mary Habila or obstruct the course of justice. Rather, it is to defend the principles of justice, fairness and the rule of law, which remain the foundation of every democratic society.

— Godiya T. Adams BogoroPresident of the Northern Youth Association of Nigeria, explaining the group's position at a press conference.

During a press conference in Abuja, the groups urged for a comprehensive, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila's death. While expressing condolences to the family, they emphasized that their stance is not to obstruct justice but to uphold principles of fairness and the rule of law.

The coalition expressed concern over campaigns, particularly those led by the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, demanding Umahi's resignation before investigations conclude. They argued that such public campaigns amount to "trial by media" and can undermine the pursuit of justice. The groups stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

Public campaigns that seek to pronounce guilt before investigations are concluded amount to trial by media and undermine the justice they claim to pursue.

— Godiya T. Adams BogoroNorthern Youth Association President criticizing premature judgment.

Insisting that the call for the minister's resignation is unwarranted, the coalition warned that basing such demands on public allegations and social media discourse sets a dangerous precedent. They urged that the ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies be allowed to proceed without interference, stating that "Justice is not served through assumptions; justice is served through evidence."

Justice is not served through assumptions; justice is served through evidence.

— Godiya T. Adams BogoroNorthern Youth Association President emphasizing the need for evidence-based conclusions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog