Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has issued a stern call to the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police, demanding that the cases of two controversial deaths—Mary Habila and Babatunde Tanimola—must not be swept under the carpet. In a statement titled “These Deaths Must Not Be Swept Under the Carpet” released on Monday, August 3, 2026, Falana urged the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to take over investigations into both cases, warning that every suspicious death deserves a thorough and independent probe regardless of the status of those involved.
Falana expressed grave concern over the circumstances surrounding the death of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old community health worker who was found dead and unclad on June 27, 2026, in a room at the country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The minister had publicly denied any foul play, insisting that the deceased had an existing medical condition and that the matter was reported to the police. However, Falana questioned the handling of the incident, pointing out that the minister “contaminated the scene of the incident by handling her phone to speak with her boyfriend.” The senior lawyer also criticised the delay in conducting an autopsy after the Nigeria Police Force rejected a request by Habila’s father to release the body for burial. While sympathising with the grieving family, Falana maintained that suspicious deaths are matters of public interest. “The death of any citizen in suspicious circumstances is not a family affair,” he declared. He called on the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure that an autopsy is carried out without further delay.
Falana also demanded an independent investigation into the death of Babatunde Dolapo Tanimola, whom the Presidency recently identified as a principal suspect in the alleged establishment of a fake government agency. According to the police, Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025, with his death confirmed through hospital and mortuary records, witness interviews, and burial documentation. However, Falana noted that several questions remain unanswered. He pointed out that as the source of the suspicious fire was being questioned in the media, it was reported that the hotel had since been demolished. “Whoever authorised the demolition of the hotel must have set out to cover up the alleged fire incident,” he alleged. Falana argued that since the terms of reference of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigation into the alleged fake agency did not cover Tanimola’s death, the Inspector-General of Police should immediately take over the matter.
Beyond the two cases, Falana called on the police to ensure transparent investigations into politically motivated killings in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. He welcomed the Nigeria Police Force’s decision to investigate 30 suspected politically motivated killings linked to the build-up to the poll but urged the authorities to go further by ensuring that the families of victims receive justice.
The senior lawyer's intervention comes amid mounting public pressure on the Federal Government to provide answers in both cases. Habila’s death has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition figures, civil society groups, and the victim’s family demanding a transparent investigation. Her family had initially rejected an autopsy for personal, cultural, and traditional reasons, but the police have insisted on the procedure. The case has become a major test of the government’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law, as the minister has remained in office despite calls for his suspension. Similarly, Tanimola’s death, linked to the fake agency scandal that has already implicated several government institutions, has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the fire and the subsequent demolition of the hotel.
Falana’s call for the Inspector-General of Police to take over both investigations represents a significant escalation in the demand for accountability, as he argued that the constitutional right to life places a legal obligation on authorities to thoroughly investigate every suspicious death. His warning that these deaths must not be swept under the carpet has added to the growing chorus of voices demanding that the government act decisively to uncover the truth and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
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