Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Inspector-General of Police to take over investigations into the controversial deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Dolapo Tanimola, insisting that suspicious deaths must be thoroughly investigated and not ignored.
Falana made the call in a statement titled, “These Deaths Must Not Be Swept Under the Carpet,” stressing that the constitutional right to life remains sacred and that authorities have a duty to ensure justice and accountability in every questionable death.
“The right to life is the most basic human right. Without it, other rights cannot be enjoyed by any person,” Falana said. “On account of the sanctity of human life, cases of suspicious deaths must be thoroughly investigated.”
The senior lawyer expressed concern over the death of Mary Habila, whose body was discovered on June 27, 2026, in a room at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Although Umahi has denied any involvement in the incident and maintained that the deceased had an underlying medical condition, Falana said several questions surrounding the case remain unanswered.
He raised concerns about the handling of the scene, alleging that it may have been compromised after the minister reportedly used Habila’s phone to communicate with her boyfriend following her death.
Falana also questioned the delay in conducting an autopsy, despite reports that police authorities declined a request by the deceased’s family to release her body for burial.
“While the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have turned down the request of the father of the deceased, they have failed to explain the delay in carrying out the autopsy,” he said.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police to assume direct supervision of the investigation and called on the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure that an autopsy is conducted without further delay to determine the exact cause of death.
“The Inspector-General of Police should take over the investigation. We equally call on the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure that the autopsy is conducted without any further delay,” Falana added.
The rights advocate also called for an independent investigation into the death of Babatunde Dolapo Tanimola, who was identified by the Presidency as a principal suspect in an alleged fake government agency scandal.
Authorities had previously stated that Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Abuja on Oct. 22, 2025, and said the death was verified through hospital and mortuary records, interviews with relatives and burial documentation.
However, Falana argued that unresolved issues continue to surround the incident.
He specifically questioned the demolition of the hotel where the fire occurred, saying the action may have compromised efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death.
According to him, whoever authorised the demolition may have undermined attempts to uncover the truth.
Falana further noted that investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission into the alleged fake agency scandal did not cover the circumstances of Tanimola’s death, making a separate police investigation necessary.
The senior lawyer also weighed in on ongoing investigations into suspected politically motivated killings linked to the Aug. 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force for making arrests in connection with the incidents and urged the Attorney-General of Osun State to ensure the prompt prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Falana reminded authorities that the Coroner Laws of Ebonyi State, Osun State and the Federal Capital Territory require inquests into sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious deaths.
He also called on civil society groups and the media to continue demanding transparency and accountability in such cases.
“The sanctity of human life must be upheld at all times,” Falana said. “These deaths must be properly investigated and not allowed to fade into obscurity.”
