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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Falana seeks IG investigation of Habila, Tanimola’s deaths

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate the deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Tanimola, demanding transparency and speedy autopsies.
  • Falana questioned the handling of Habila's death, found in a minister's home, citing alleged scene contamination and delayed autopsy despite her father's wishes.
  • He also called for an independent probe into Tanimola's death, identified as a suspect in an alleged fake government agency.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for a thorough investigation into the controversial deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Tanimola, urging the Inspector General of Police to take over the cases. Falana emphasized that these deaths must not be "swept under the carpet," stressing the fundamental right to life.

These Deaths Must Not Be Swept Under the Carpet.

— Femi FalanaTitle of the statement made by Falana demanding investigation into the deaths.

Falana expressed particular concern over the circumstances surrounding Habila's death. She was found deceased and unclothed on June 27, 2026, in the Ebonyi State country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi. While Umahi denied foul play, attributing her death to a pre-existing medical condition and stating the matter was reported to the police, Falana criticized the minister for allegedly contaminating the scene by handling Habila's phone.

The right to life is the most basic human right. Without it, other rights cannot be enjoyed by any person.

— Femi FalanaFalana's statement on the importance of the right to life.

Further complicating the case, Falana highlighted the delay in conducting an autopsy. He noted that the Nigeria Police Force rejected a request from Habila's father to release her body for burial and has failed to explain the prolonged delay in performing an autopsy. Falana stated that suspicious deaths are matters of public interest and called on the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure the autopsy proceeds without further delay.

Even though the minister has denied any foul play or cover-up, stating she had an existing medical condition and that the matter was reported to the police, the minister contaminated the scene of the incident by handling her phone to speak with her boyfriend.

— Femi FalanaFalana's criticism of Minister David Umahi's actions at the scene of Mary Habila's death.

In addition to Habila's case, Falana demanded an independent investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola. Tanimola was recently identified by the Presidency as a principal suspect in the alleged establishment of a fake government agency. The police reportedly stated Tanimola died in a related incident, but Falana seeks a comprehensive probe.

In an affidavit, the father of the deceased rejected an autopsy and requested the release of the body for burial.

— Femi FalanaFalana's recounting of the father's wishes regarding his daughter's body.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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