Mbeke, Ebonyi State: Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has initiated legal action against individuals circulating what he described as false and defamatory reports surrounding the death of a nurse allegedly linked to his residence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that social media posts had alleged that the death of nurse Mary Habila was shrouded in secrecy after she reportedly died inside Umahi’s compound in his hometown.
Speaking on Sunday while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi dismissed the allegations as malicious and politically motivated.
He said his legal team had been instructed to pursue those responsible for spreading the claims.
“I have fully briefed my lawyers to institute legal action against those behind these defamatory reports,” he said.
Umahi condemned what he described as the activities of “evil people who claim to be freedom fighters,” insisting that no one should exploit a person’s death to create sensational content.
Providing his account of the incident, the minister said the deceased’s family became concerned after they could not reach her, forced open her room and immediately sought medical assistance.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), who rushed her to the hospital and did everything possible to revive her, but unfortunately, she could not be saved,” he said.
According to Umahi, the incident was promptly reported to the police, making allegations of a cover-up unfounded.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
He disclosed that the deceased’s parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State, would address journalists and also commence legal action against those spreading what he described as falsehoods.
Umahi further revealed that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the actual cause of death, adding that the procedure would only be carried out with the consent of the deceased’s parents.
“You don’t create content with someone’s death,” he said, warning against the spread of misinformation.
The minister described the late Habila as a dedicated nurse who had worked with him for about three years.
“The deceased was a good nurse. She monitored my medical vital signs and served diligently for three years,” he said.
Umahi also dismissed reports linking him to an alleged kidnapping suspect said to have been recruited into the Ebonyi State security outfit, Ebubeagu.
“Can those spreading this allegation produce any photograph showing me with the suspect?” he asked.
He maintained that, as governor, he could not have known every individual recruited into the security outfit and insisted that the suspect was unknown to him.
Reaffirming his hardline stance against kidnapping, Umahi said the crime deserved severe punishment and should never be tolerated.
He maintained that the allegations against him were politically motivated and vowed to defend his reputation through lawful means.
