Mary Habila: DSP Barau Jibrin's Aide Condemn Atiku's Call For Umahi's Suspension 

A legislative aide to the Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Chief Emmanuel Igwe has condemned the recent call made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the suspension of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi over the death of Miss Mary Habila in his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi state.

The legislative aide further described Atiku's statement as putting the "cart before the horse".

In a statement issued to journalists, Chief Igwe warned against the politicization of the unfortunate death of the 26-year-old nurse attached to the Minister of Works.

He therefore rejected Atiku's call for Umahi's suspension describing it as premature, politically motivated, and inconsistent with the principles of justice, fairness, and due process.

Chief Igwe cautioned that while every Nigerian has the right to demand a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the unfortunate death of Miss Mary Habila, it was improper for Atiku to draw conclusions or prescribe sanctions before the investigative authorities have established the facts.

According to him: "the press statement by the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the unfortunate death of Miss Mary Habila and the overt political manaoveurs by major opposition figures in the Nigeria polity to indict the Honourable Minister of Works ,Senator David Umahi, even before the conclusion of the ongoing investigation is a typical example of putting the cart before the horse".

"The rule of law requires that investigations precede judgments, evidence precede accusations, and due process prevail over public speculation".

"To call for the suspension of a public official before any investigative findings have been made risks undermining the very principles of justice and fairness that we all seek to uphold".

Igwe therefore urged stakeholders, political leaders, civil society organisations, the media, and members of the public to refrain from making prejudicial statements while investigations were still ongoing.