Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called for calm and a thorough investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, a member of the medical support team attached to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, while opposing calls for the minister to resign.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said it received the news of Habila’s death with profound sadness and extended condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
It described the death as a national tragedy and urged Nigerians to allow investigators to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“This unfortunate incident involves the loss of a human life and, as such, deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and compassion. It is therefore imperative that all Nigerians exercise restraint and avoid actions or utterances capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation or causing unnecessary public anxiety.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide strongly urges political actors, pressure groups and commentators to desist from politicizing this unfortunate incident. Matters involving the loss of human life should never be exploited for political advantage or sectional interests. Such conduct neither serves the cause of justice nor honours the memory of the deceased.
“We note that the Honourable Minister of Works has publicly called for a comprehensive forensic autopsy and investigation to establish the true cause and circumstances surrounding Miss Habila’s death. This is a responsible position that should be encouraged, as every suspicious or unexplained death deserves a thorough, professional and transparent investigation in accordance with the law.
“Accordingly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide fully supports the ongoing investigation by the relevant authorities and expects that it will be conducted impartially, professionally and without interference. The outcome of such investigation should be guided solely by facts, scientific evidence and due process.
“In the same vein, we consider the calls in some quarters for the resignation or stepping aside of the Honourable Minister of Works to be premature, unnecessary and without sufficient justification at this stage. The mere fact that a death occurred within the premises where an individual resides or is present does not, in itself, establish culpability or warrant demands for resignation. Such an unfortunate occurrence could happen in any person’s home or environment, and responsibility can only be determined through a credible investigation based on evidence.
“Nigeria remains a nation governed by the rule of law and the constitutional principle that every citizen is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. It would therefore be inconsistent with the ideals of justice and fairness to impose political consequences before the relevant authorities have concluded their investigations and established the facts.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide therefore calls on all Nigerians to remain calm, allow the investigative process to run its full course, and refrain from speculative narratives capable of undermining public confidence in our institutions or prejudicing the search for truth.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Miss Mary Habila. We trust that the ongoing investigation will uncover the truth, provide the family with the answers they deserve, and ensure that justice, guided by evidence and due process, is ultimately served.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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