Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, says he 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.
Speaking on Sunday while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi said his legal team had been instructed to pursue those behind the claims.
Social media reports had alleged secrecy surrounding the death of nurse Mary Habila inside the minister’s compound in Ebonyi State.
Dismissing the allegations, Umahi said the deceased’s family became concerned after she failed to respond, forced open her room and immediately sought medical attention.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything possible to revive her, but she could not be saved,” he said.
According to the minister, the incident was promptly reported to the police, making claims of a cover-up unfounded. “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 and also take legal action against those spreading what he described as false information.
He added that he had directed that an autopsy be carried out, subject to the approval of the deceased’s parents. Condemning what he described as the exploitation of a tragic death for online content, Umahi warned against spreading unverified information.
“You don’t create content with someone’s death,” he said. The minister described the late Mary Habila as a dedicated nurse at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, saying she had attended to him professionally for about three years.
Umahi also dismissed reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect said to have been recruited into the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu. “Can those making these allegations produce a photograph showing me with the person?” he asked.
He maintained that he neither knew the suspect nor could he be expected to know everyone recruited into the security outfit during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State.
Reaffirming his stance against kidnapping, Umahi said the crime deserves severe punishment and insisted the allegations against him were politically motivated. He vowed to continue defending his reputation through legal means.