Minister of Works, David Umahi, has denied allegations of secrecy or cover-up surrounding the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, DUFUTH, warning that legal action will be taken against those spreading what he described as false reports about the incident.
Umahi spoke on Sunday while monitoring work progress on the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway.
The minister said reports suggesting that the circumstances of Habila’s death were being concealed were false and unfair.
According to him, Habila’s family became worried after they were unable to reach her and subsequently forced open the door to her room.
He said medical personnel from DUFUTH were immediately contacted and they took her to the hospital, where efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” Umahi said.
Umahi said the matter was promptly reported to the police by the family, insisting that there was no basis for claims that the death was hidden from the authorities.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
The minister disclosed that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted to establish the actual cause of death.
He said the autopsy would be carried out with the consent of Habila’s parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State.
Umahi also said he had instructed his lawyers to commence legal action against persons circulating what he described as falsehoods about the death of the nurse. NAN reports also quoted the minister as saying he had initiated legal action over claims surrounding Habila’s death.
He maintained that the facts of the matter should be established through lawful and medical processes rather than speculation.
Describing Habila as a committed employee of DUFUTH, Umahi said her parents would address journalists on the matter and may also pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading alleged false reports.
The minister’s reaction followed social media claims alleging secrecy surrounding Habila’s death.
Umahi, however, insisted that the police had been notified, medical personnel were involved and an autopsy had been ordered to determine the cause of death.
As of the time of this report, the official cause of Habila’s death had not been made public.
