NIGERIA MINISTER OF WORKS, UMAHI SPEAKS ON MARY HABILA CASE — "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT" HE SAYS.

Nigeria Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has broken his silence on the death of Mary Habila, who was found dead at his Abuja residence.

In a statement he made on Thursday, Senator Umahi denied any involvement with the deceased and went ahead to disclose details of his conversation with the late Mary Habila boyfriend. He also requested that her remains should not be released to the family until an autopsy is conducted and police investigations on the matter is concluded.

The case has sparked a national debate on accountability, following due process, and how high-profile incidents are handled in the country.

According to police and media reports, Mary Habila was found dead at the Minister’s residence in Abuja on July 10 and within July 11-13, the Minister's wives and families were detained and interrogated.

The Ministeron Thursday said he had no involvement in her death and he had spoken to her boyfriend who was the last person with the deceased before her death. He went ahead to say he is in full support of getting an autopsy done and a full investigation to determine the cause of her death. He urged the public to avoid specials as the deceased was like a daughter to him. His legal team also confirmed cooperation with police.

The case which has been trending further past three days on social media is noted to be targeting a call for justice as no one is above the law .

Civil society groups have asked the police to be transparent and release periodic updates on the case.

For Nigeria, this is a test case to see if due process will be followed and if the results are published, it will strengthen faith in the system. If not, it will deepen cynicism.

Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done.