Umahi Pursues Legal Action Over Defamatory Allegations

​Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has officially initiated legal proceedings against individuals responsible for circulating what he termed “false and defamatory” reports regarding the death of a nurse at his private residence in Ebonyi State.

​The Minister addressed the controversy on Sunday while conducting an inspection tour of the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway. Responding to social media claims of a cover-up surrounding the death of Mary Habila—a nurse at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital—the Minister firmly rejected allegations of foul play or secrecy.

​According to the Minister, the incident unfolded when the nurse’s family, concerned by her lack of response, forced entry into her room. They immediately contacted medical professionals from the university teaching hospital to provide emergency care, though their efforts to revive her were ultimately unsuccessful. Umahi stressed that the incident was reported to the police without delay, dismissing suggestions that he had attempted to hide the circumstances of her passing.

ADVERTISEMENT

​”The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” the Minister asked. He further disclosed that the parents of the deceased are preparing to hold a press conference and pursue their own legal action against those peddling misinformation. Additionally, Umahi has directed that an autopsy be performed, provided he receives the formal consent of the deceased’s parents.

​During the briefing, the Minister also addressed separate, persistent allegations linking him to an unidentified kidnapping suspect previously recruited into the Ebonyi State security outfit, Ebubeagu. Umahi dismissed the reports as politically motivated, challenging his accusers to produce evidence, such as a photograph of him with the suspect in question. He maintained that it was unreasonable to expect him to personally know every individual hired into the security network during his tenure as the Governor of Ebonyi State.

​Condemning the exploitation of a tragic death for online content, the Minister vowed to continue defending his reputation through the judiciary, reaffirming his intolerance for kidnapping and those who disseminate unverified, malicious information.

​Minister of Works speaks on controversy

​This video provides additional context regarding public discourse and past political controversies involving the Minister.