The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government over the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who was found dead in the Ebonyi residence of David Umahi, Minister of Works.

The party demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her reported death at the residence of the Minister.

The opposition party also urged Umahi to step aside to allow an independent panel probe the case.

Works Minister David Umahi and Mary Habila

It argued that such a move is necessary to guarantee public confidence in the outcome of the probe.

ADC made the demands in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

The party maintained that the death of a citizen inside the residence of a serving cabinet minister is a matter of public interest that requires full transparency and accountability.

It said questions surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence and the events leading to her death remain unanswered.

According to the party, only an inquiry conducted outside the influence of the Executive can establish the facts and restore public confidence.

“We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive.

“This inquiry must include a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings,” the statement said.

The ADC argued that anything short of an independent probe would only fuel public suspicion and weaken trust in state institutions.

It further alleged that the Tinubu administration has repeatedly failed to subject senior government officials facing serious allegations to independent scrutiny.

The party accused the administration of shielding political appointees whenever controversies emerge.

It said the pattern had created “scandal insurance” for top government officials.

“The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability,” Abdullahi said.

The opposition party described the incident as one that goes beyond politics, insisting that the death of a young woman in the residence of a serving minister demands exceptional openness.

It therefore insisted that Umahi should vacate office temporarily until an independent investigation is concluded.

“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement added.

The ADC warned that failure by President Bola Tinubu to insist on accountability would reinforce public perception that his administration protects senior officials from scrutiny.

It said Nigerians deserve the truth about the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, while her family deserves justice.

The party also extended condolences to Habila’s family, urging the authorities to ensure that the investigation is transparent and its findings made public.

Mary Habila’s death sparked nationwide attention after reports emerged that the young physiotherapist died under unclear circumstances at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister.

The Ebonyi State Police Command subsequently transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while the cause of death remains unknown.

Umahi has denied any wrongdoing, insisting there was no attempt to conceal the incident.

He said Habila was among medical personnel attached to the Federal Ministry of Works and disclosed that he advised her family to approve an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The incident has since attracted calls for an independent investigation from opposition parties and civil society groups. (Daily Trust)

A 23-year-old man, Umar Auwalu, has told the Kano State High Court that he was responsible for the deaths of his uncle’s daughter, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children. While giving evidence before Justice Nasiru Saminu at High Court No. 11 on Wednesday, the defendant claimed he carried out the killings after receiving instructions from a herbalist.

According to Auwalu, a traditional healer identified as Thomas allegedly directed him to commit the act. He also claimed the herbalist gave him incense and encouraged him to continue carrying out similar crimes in the future.

The defendant also denied that the other two people standing trial with him were involved in the incident. He said Isyaku Yakubu Chobe and Yakubu Dayyabu had nothing to do with the case, adding that he only mentioned their names after he was allegedly tortured while in police custody following his arrest.

During the court session, the prosecution was led by Safiya Yalwati and Zaharaddeen Hamisu Kofar Mata. They appeared alongside police investigator Corporal Aliyu Jamilu, while the defence team also called witnesses to support its case.

After hearing from both sides, the court adjourned the matter to July 21, when the trial will continue.

The killings happened on January 17, when Fatima Abubakar and her six children were found dead inside their home in the Dorayi Chiranci community. The incident threw the area into mourning and prompted a police investigation.

Following the investigation, police arrested Auwalu, who is related to the deceased, together with two other suspects.

The three men first appeared before Magistrates’ Court No. 2 in Nomansland on February 5, 2026. They were charged with eight offences, including conspiracy, culpable homicide, robbery and rape.

After the Directorate of Public Prosecutions reviewed the case, it was transferred to the High Court in April. The suspects were arraigned again on a nine-count charge. While Auwalu admitted partial guilt, the two other defendants pleaded not guilty.

….alleges ₦200 million bribe demand by lawmakers

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has questioned how Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), gained access to the Presidential Villa and senior government officials.

Dalung raised the concern in a post on his 𝕏 account, where he shared a photograph showing Adeyemi alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials.

Reacting to the image, the former minister queried the level of access allegedly enjoyed by Adeyemi despite claims that the agency he represented did not exist.

Solomon Dalung

“What can you see? Should we also ask how the DG of the fake Federal Agency accessed the State House and enjoyed this level of proximity to the seat of power?” Dalung wrote.

His comments come after Adeyemi was arrested following a warrant issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adeyemi is expected to face an eight-count charge in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025 bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Although the case was listed for arraignment, the defendant did not appear in court despite his lawyer, Genesis Francis, announcing his appearance before the judge.

Dalung alleges ₦200 million bribe demand

In a separate development, Dalung has alleged that members of the National Assembly demanded a ₦200 million bribe from him during his first budget defence as minister under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking in a statement reflecting on his time in office, the former minister described the incident as one of his earliest encounters with what he termed entrenched corruption within Nigeria’s public institutions.

According to Dalung, the alleged demand was made shortly after he presented the budget proposal of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development before lawmakers.

He claimed members of the committee requested ₦200 million despite the ministry having no budgetary provision for such a payment.

“I looked through the budget documents before me and replied that I had not seen any budget line titled ‘bribe.’ I told the committee that since no such provision existed in the ministry’s appropriation, I had no idea where they expected me to obtain ₦200 million,” he said.

Dalung alleged that his response effectively ended his participation in the meeting.

According to him, lawmakers subsequently excused him from the session and informed him that further discussions would continue with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

“They simply told me, ‘Okay, Mr Minister, you are excused. We will take it up with the Permanent Secretary,'” he recalled.

The former minister further claimed that after the incident, his involvement in subsequent budget defence exercises was significantly reduced.

He said he was thereafter only required to present a general overview of the ministry’s budget before being excused, while detailed deliberations allegedly continued behind closed doors between lawmakers and senior ministry officials.

Dalung also alleged that the practice extended beyond the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

According to him, some ministers particularly those considered to have close ties with the Presidency allegedly complied with similar demands to facilitate the smooth passage of their budget proposals.

He argued that legislative oversight, which is constitutionally intended to ensure transparency and accountability, had in some instances been transformed into a means of personal enrichment.

Dalung maintained that when oversight responsibilities are influenced by illicit financial interests, accountability in public administration is weakened, public resources are more easily diverted, and citizens’ confidence in government institutions is eroded.

He further claimed that recurring corruption scandals involving ministries, departments and agencies have persisted partly because some institutions entrusted with oversight have allegedly become compromised.