The Coalition of Civil Societies For Good Governance (CCSGG) in collaboration with Northern Youth Association Of Nigeria (NYAN), has called for detailed investigations into the circumstances leading death of Nurse, late Mary Habila in the premises of the personal residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, at his country home.
The Coalition however expressed a stand against the call on the Minister to resign his appointment pending the conclusion of the investigation declaring that such is not necessary considering the fact that Sen David Umahi is not in anyway directly or indirectly linked to the death.
The assertion was made during a press conference held on Friday, addressed by Comr. Godiya T Adams Bogoro, President Northern Youth Association of Nigeria (NYAN), titled: “A stand Against the Call for the Resignation of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, and a call for a detailed Investigation into the Death of Nurse, Mary Habila”
Reading the text of the briefing, Godiya T Adams Bogoro said,
“Today, we have gathered as responsible citizens and defenders of democracy to address an issue that has generated widespread public concern and national attention, the unfortunate and tragic death of Miss Mary Habila, a promising young Nigerian Nurse, who is said to be an employee of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Science.”
According to him,”First, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Miss Mary Habila, whose untimely death has shocked many Nigerians. We pray that Almighty God grants her eternal rest and gives her family, friends, and colleagues the strength to bear this painful loss.”
He explained that,”Our gathering today is neither intended to trivialize the unfortunate death of Mary Habila nor to obstruct the course of justice. Rather, it is to defend the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, which remain the cornerstone of every civilized society.”
He added that,”Over the past few days, we have watched with concern, the growing campaign by the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria calling for the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, over allegations connected with the death of Mary Habila. ”
He however declared that,”To this call, we consider it unwarranted, ill-motivated, and unjust. We are bold to affirm that Engineer David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works, is a gentle, compassionate, and kind-hearted individual, who treats people with respect and dignity.”
The NYAN President stressed that, “While every Nigerian has the constitutional right to freedom of expression and peaceful advocacy, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. Public campaigns that seek to pronounce guilt before the completion of investigations amount to media trial and undermine the very justice they claim to pursue.”.
“It is on this basis that the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance, in collaboration with the Northern Youth Association of Nigeria, unequivocally rejects the call for the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Works. We frown at the resignation campaign and call for restraint,” he added.
According to him,”Our position is informed by the following reasons: Nigeria operates a law where everyone enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court of law. No Nigerian should be punished merely because of allegations circulating in the public space or on social media.”
Godiya T. Adams Bogoro added that,”To demand the resignation of a serving Minister without the conclusion of investigations establishes a dangerous precedent capable of threatening the administration of justice.
Ongoing investigation must be allowed to run its course as circumstances surrounding the death of Mary Habila remain the subject of investigation by relevant law enforcement agencies, and until such investigations are concluded and official findings released, every attempt to assign blame or demand punitive actions against any individual remains speculative.”
He stressed that,”Justice is not served through assumptions; justice is served through evidence. We have consistently maintained that social media campaigns, emotionally charged narratives, and politically motivated propaganda must never be allowed to supplant the lawful processes of investigation.”
According to him,”While public opinion plays an important role in a democratic society, it cannot replace credible evidence or the impartial determination of facts by competent investigative authorities and the courts.”
He warned that, “Resorting to trial by media not only undermines the principles of justice and due process but also risks unfairly damaging the reputations of individuals before the facts are established, causing irreparable harm to innocent people, thereby eroding public confidence in the justice system and weakening the rule of law.”
According to him, “As civil society organizations committed to justice, the rule of law, and democratic values, we unequivocally reject every form of trial by media or public conviction that circumvents due process. The tragic death of Mary Habila must not be exploited as a tool for political gain, the settlement of personal or partisan grievances, or the advancement of sectional interests.”
The Coalition therefore called on all organizations, political actors, pressure groups, commentators, and members of the public to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public engagements, allowing the relevant investigative authorities to discharge their constitutional duties without undue pressure or interference.
It stressed that, “Nigeria has paid a heavy price for divisive politics and inflammatory rhetoric; this unfortunate incident should instead serve as a rallying point for our collective commitment to truth and justice.”
“Our position should not be misconstrued as an attempt to defend any individual or shield anyone from accountability. Rather, it is a principled affirmation of our commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law. We unequivocally stand for a thorough, credible, and impartial investigation,” he added.
The NYAN President added that,”On the strength of the foregoing, and in the overriding interest of justice and public confidence in our institutions, we call on the Nigeria Police Force and all relevant security and investigative agencies to expedite a thorough, professional, and credible investigation into the death of Mary Habila and insist that the investigation be conducted in a transparent, impartial, independent, and that investigators be guided solely by the evidence.*
The Coalition then appealed to all Nigerians to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and patient, while allowing the relevant institutions to discharge their constitutional responsibilities, confident that the truth will emerge and that justice will ultimately prevail.
To the family of the late Mary Habila, the Coalition said that it stands in solidarity with them during this difficult period of grief and mourning.
“We recognize the profound pain and anguish that accompany the loss of a loved one even under such tragic circumstances, and we firmly believe that genuine and enduring justice can only be achieved through a credible, transparent, impartial, and lawful investigative process,” It added.
“Finally, the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance and the Northern Youth Association of Nigeria reaffirm our commitment to justice, the rule of law, and due process. We maintain that all investigative agencies should be allowed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities independently and without intimidation, political pressure, or media interference. We urge all Nigerians to remain patient and allow the investigative process to run its full course, confident that justice will ultimately be served in accordance with the evidence and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.
