Ohanaeze endorses investigation into Habila's death, dismisses demands for Umahi's removal from office

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is urging Nigerians to exercise restraint and permit security agencies to complete their investigation into the death of Mary Habila, a member of the medical support team attached to Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, without interference.

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The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation has also labelled calls for the minister's resignation or stepping aside as premature, stressing that no one should be judged until the facts are established, in a statement issued on Friday.

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Signed by National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, on behalf of President-General, Senator Azuta Mbata, the statement expressed sorrow over Habila's death and extended condolences to her family, describing the loss as a tragedy to all men and women of good conscience.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has extended its deepest condolences to Habila's family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones, praying that Almighty God grants her eternal rest and gives her family the strength to bear the loss.

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The organisation is calling on Nigerians to treat the matter with compassion and desist from comments that could prejudice the ongoing investigation, as the incident involves the loss of a human life and deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has cautioned against turning the tragedy into a political issue, noting that matters involving the loss of human life should never be exploited for political advantage or sectional interests.

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Umahi has requested a comprehensive forensic autopsy and investigation to determine the actual cause and circumstances surrounding Habila's death, a position Ohanaeze has described as responsible, stressing that every suspicious or unexplained death should be subjected to a professional and transparent investigation.

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The organisation has expressed full support for the ongoing probe by the relevant authorities, confident that it will be conducted impartially and professionally, with the outcome guided solely by facts, scientific evidence, and due process.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide considers demands for the minister's resignation to be unjustified at this stage, stating that such calls are premature, unnecessary, and without sufficient justification.

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The organisation has reminded Nigerians that the country's legal system is founded on the principle of the presumption of innocence, where every citizen is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and responsibility can only be determined through a credible investigation based on evidence.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has appealed to Nigerians to allow investigators to carry out their work without interference and to avoid spreading speculative narratives capable of undermining public confidence in the investigative process.

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The organisation's thoughts and prayers remain with Habila's family, with the hope that the investigation will establish the truth and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.