The Late Mary Habila
By Emma Igwe
“Those who live ahead of their time should always expect criticism.”— Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
(Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe reportedly made this statement on two notable occasions.)
The first was during the campaign for Nigeria’s independence, when Southern members of the then National Assembly advocated for self-rule while many Northern members opposed the move. When Dr. Azikiwe was interviewed at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom, he responded with those words.
The second was during the Nigeria–Biafra War. After advocating dialogue between Nigeria and Biafra, Radio Biafra reportedly labelled him a saboteur. Once again, he repeated the same statement. Supporters argue that history later vindicated his position.
A Religious Reflection
If Jesus Christ, revered by Christians as the Saviour of the world, was persecuted and crucified despite His innocence, then public criticism and unfounded allegations against public figures should not come as a surprise. It is painful for anyone to be associated with a crime in which they had no involvement.
Sen. David Umahi: A Record of Public Service
Supporters of Sen. David Umahi point to a number of achievements during his political career, including: Becoming the first Deputy Governor in Ebonyi State to openly oppose the imposition of candidates within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), eventually emerging as Governor.
Introducing the use of concrete pavement technology for road construction in Ebonyi State. Prioritising infrastructure development over patronage politics and the distribution of public resources.
When Sen. Umahi defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he faced widespread criticism, particularly in the South-East. Today, many of those who opposed his decision have also joined the APC.
His supporters also argue that his performance as Minister of Works and his strong defence of President Bola Tinubu’s policies have attracted political opposition and criticism from rivals.
The Main Issue: The Death of Ms. Mary Habila
It is not disputed that Ms. Mary Habila died at Sen. David Umahi’s country home. However, the central issue should be determined by facts rather than assumptions. The mere fact that a person dies at another person’s residence does not, by itself, establish that the owner or occupant is responsible for the death.
Liability can only be established through credible and verifiable evidence. Among the issues that require proper investigation are:
- Whether there is evidence linking any individual to the cause of the death
- Whether those present cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities
- Whether medical assistance was sought promptly and the incident duly reported
- The findings of forensic experts, medical examiners, and other investigators
- The cause and circumstances surrounding Ms. Mary Habila’s death are matters that should be determined through lawful investigation
The Legal Position
Both criminal and civil liability must be established through credible evidence demonstrating that an unlawful act caused the death. Sen. David Umahi has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has stated that he has cooperated with the relevant authorities throughout the investigation.
Ultimately, the circumstances surrounding the incident should be determined by witness testimony, forensic evidence, medical reports, and other admissible evidence—not by speculation based solely on the location where the death occurred.
It is a fundamental principle of justice that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Accordingly, any conclusion regarding legal responsibility must rest on established facts and the applicable law, rather than suspicion or conjecture.
The occurrence of a death at Sen. Umahi’s residence, standing alone, is insufficient to establish legal liability without clear and convincing evidence linking him to the cause of the death.
