The Southern Kaduna Peoples' United Association has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Kaduna targeting works minister David Umahi over the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to his medical team.
Habila died on June 27 at Umahi's residence, sparking widespread calls for answers about what happened.
SOKAPU named Habila Tanko Wisdom, the nurse's father, the Ebonyi State attorney-general, and the state's police commissioner as respondents in the suit.
The association is pushing the court to order an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. It's also demanding N20 billion in damages from Umahi, claiming he breached his duty of care toward Habila while she was under his watch.
The Ebonyi State Police Command previously said an autopsy would proceed despite resistance from some family members. Umahi himself had written to the state police commissioner requesting the autopsy take place so investigators could establish the facts around her death.
This legal action raises critical questions about accountability, duty of care, and how courts and police handle death investigations. The dispute will likely hinge on whether Umahi can be held legally responsible for Habila's death given she was part of his medical team.
The Federal High Court hasn't yet scheduled a hearing date for the case, according to filings available as of now.
