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Chikwado Chukwu, a visually-impaired human rights activist and Executive Director of the Disability Rights Protection Initiative, has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the death of Mary Habila. Habila, identified as the personal physiotherapist to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, reportedly died under mysterious circumstances at Umahi's residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

Francis Nweze, the minister's Senior Special Assistant, confirmed Habila's death in a statement released on Saturday. The statement indicated that Habila and a colleague, Anita Baski, both employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for three years. Umahi reportedly requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death, but the deceased's family allegedly refused permission.

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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 26. Habila died inside the residence the next day, June 27. Chikwado wrote that her body was carried out naked and placed in the ambulance that came for her.

Chukwu, reacting to the development, called for a thorough probe. Information suggests Habila and Baski arrived at Umahi's residence on June 26, with Habila dying the following day. Chukwu's statement alleged that Habila's body was carried out naked and placed in an ambulance. He noted that neither Umahi, the Ebonyi State Police Command, nor the state government publicly addressed the death for nearly two weeks, until an investigative report by Sahara Reporters on July 10 brought the case to light.

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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.

In response, Umahi's aide stated that Habila and Baski were his personal physiotherapists on secondment. Chukwu questioned why a minister would require a physiotherapist at his village home for three years, away from his office or any clinic. He also questioned why it took a private media outlet, rather than the police or state government, to publicize the death.

The activist also drew 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. Police sources reportedly indicated that Bawado brought the two women to the residence. Chukwu argued that a serving police officer performing such personal errands for a minister warrants investigation. The case has reportedly been transferred from the Ohaozara Police Division to the Ebonyi State Command, though the police have not issued a public statement on the cause of death.

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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.