The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of University Students (NAUS) have thrown their weight behind the call by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for an autopsy to determine the cause of Mary Habila’s death, who was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences (DUFUMS), Uburu, while demanding an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise.

In a joint statement signed by NANS Senate President, Ibeabuchi Onyia, and NAUS President, Meshach Nwankwo, the student bodies expressed shock over Habila’s death and extended condolences to her family, Umahi, and all those affected by the tragedy.

The organisations said available reports indicated that Umahi had consistently insisted on establishing the true cause of Habila’s death and had formally requested an autopsy, a move they described as a demonstration of commitment to justice.

“We commend the Minister of Works for taking proactive steps to ensure that justice is served and calling for an autopsy to ascertain the actual cause of Miss Mary Habila’s death,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on an autopsy for Habila.

Her death has generated reactions across the country, with Umahi and the police insisting on an autopsy to unravel the cause of the tragedy.

But the family of the deceased has obtained a court affidavit rejecting a post-mortem examination on their daughter.

According to the affidavit, the family said it wants Habila’s body to remain intact and will not support any autopsy on her body.

However, in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the police said it considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.

In a related development, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) have called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of Works pending the outcome of investigations into the death of the 26-year-old physiotherapist.

The rights group said the temporary suspension was necessary to ensure a transparent, independent, and credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, which has attracted public attention.

In a statement signed yesterday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA stressed that its demand should not be interpreted as an allegation of wrongdoing against the Minister.

On its own part, APM insists it is important that Umahi is immediately suspended, while an open, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Habila is instituted.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the opposition party argued that allowing the minister to remain in office while questions continue to trail the incident could undermine public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

In the meantime, Umahi has denied involvement in the death of Habila, assuring that there must be an autopsy to clear his name, even against the wishes and beliefs of the deceased’s family. The Works Minister made this clarification while responding to questions from journalists during a press briefing yesterday, insisting that anyone who accuses him of having any hands in the death of a lady he refers to as his daughter will face the wrath of God. (The Guardian)