•Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has broken his silence over the death of a nurse, Mary Habila, in his hometown compound in Ebonyi State, describing her as “a good nurse” and dismissing social media reports alleging secrecy surrounding the incident.
Umahi also announced that he had instructed his lawyers to institute legal action against individuals spreading what he described as false and defamatory reports about the circumstances of her death, reports Daily Trust.
Speaking while inspecting ongoing work on the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, the minister condemned what he called the activities of “evil people who claim to be freedom fighters,” insisting that misinformation should not be tolerated.
According to him, the nurse’s family became worried after they could not reach her and forced open the door to her room before immediately seeking medical help.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” Umahi said.
He explained that the matter was promptly reported to the police, questioning claims that the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death were shrouded in secrecy.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
Umahi disclosed that the deceased’s parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State, would address journalists on the matter and also pursue legal action against those circulating what he described as false information.
The minister further revealed that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death, adding that the procedure would only be carried out with the consent of the deceased’s parents.
“The death of the purveyors of such falsehood will be worse because you don’t do content creation with someone’s death,” he said.
Paying tribute to the late nurse, Umahi described her as a dedicated staff member of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), saying she had worked closely with him for three years.
“The deceased was a good nurse who checked my medical vital signs and worked with me for three years,” he said.
The minister also used the opportunity to dismiss reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect said to have been recruited into the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu.
He challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence connecting him with the suspect.
“Can the purveyors of such news provide a photograph of me and such a person?” he asked.
Umahi maintained that he could not possibly know every individual recruited into the security outfit during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State, insisting that he had no relationship with the suspect.
Reaffirming his stance against insecurity, the minister said he supported stiff punishment for kidnappers, describing kidnapping as a crime no one should wish even on an enemy.
He insisted that the allegations against him were politically motivated and vowed to defend his reputation through lawful means.
