As the dust raised by the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist, at the residence of David Umahi, the Minister of Works, continues to spread, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has doubled down on its demand for a probe into the death.

The group has also alleged threat on its leadership, accusing the minister of threatening its national president, Tabara Samuel Kato, following the group’s N20 billion lawsuit seeking an independent investigation into the death of the 26-year-old Habila.

SOKAPU is asking the court to order an independent autopsy by a team of pathologists from the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the National Hospital, Abuja.

It is also seeking an order directing the Nigeria Police Force to carry out a comprehensive investigation before Habila’s body is released for burial. In addition, SOKAPU is demanding N20 billion in damages against Umahi, arguing that the minister owed Habila a duty of care while she was under his custody and supervision.

In the suit marked KDH/KAF/26/2026, the group is seeking an independent forensic autopsy, a fresh police investigation and N20 billion in damages over Habila’s death at Umahi’s country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

SOKAPU argued that Habila died under “unexplained, controversial and unnatural circumstances” and alleged that her body was moved to a mortuary without a formal report to the Nigeria Police Force.

The group’s lawsuit against the Works Minister is the latest development in the controversy surrounding Habila’s death, which has continued to attract widespread public attention.

At an emergency press conference on Tuesday, SOKAPU alleged that Umahi contacted Kato via WhatsApp at about 9:39 a.m. on July 28 after learning about the lawsuit and Kato’s appearance on Channels Television on Sunday.

According to Kato, the minister identified himself before allegedly issuing threats over the legal action.

“I am David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works. I saw your suit against me, you need money, right? I will teach you a lesson of your life such that you will learn never to mess with a person like me. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning and there you are taking me to court. I will deal with you,” Kato quoted Umahi as saying before ending the call.

SOKAPU condemned the alleged remarks, describing them as intimidation aimed at discouraging the group from pursuing legal action over Habila’s controversial death.

“Our decision to seek judicial intervention and file a suit is entirely within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution and is meant to protect the dignity and rights of our people. No intimidation will work in this matter,” the group said.

The group reiterated its demand for an independent forensic autopsy to establish the actual cause of Habila’s death, insisting that she should not be buried until all outstanding questions surrounding the incident are resolved.

It also called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take note of the alleged threats against its leadership.

The latest allegation comes days after SOKAPU instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Kaduna State High Court against Umahi, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and Habila’s father, Habila Tanko Wisdom. (The Sun)

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