Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Femi Falana, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to take over investigations into the controversial deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Dolapo Tanimola, insisting that the cases must not be ignored.
Falana, in a statement titled, “These Deaths Must Not Be Swept Under the Carpet,” on Monday, said every suspicious death deserved a thorough and independent investigation in line with the sanctity of the right to life.
He also called for a speedy autopsy in the case of Habila and urged authorities to ensure transparency in investigations into alleged politically motivated killings in Osun State.
“The right to life is the most basic human right. Without it, other rights cannot be enjoyed by any person. On account of the sanctity of human life, the following cases of suspicious deaths must be thoroughly investigated,” Falana said.
On Habila’s death, the senior lawyer expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her body on June 27, 2026, in a room at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Falana noted that although Umahi had denied any wrongdoing, stating that the deceased had an existing medical condition and that the incident was reported to the police, questions remained over the handling of the matter.
He alleged that the scene of the incident may have been compromised after the minister handled Habila’s phone to communicate with her boyfriend.
Falana also questioned the delay in conducting an autopsy after the deceased’s father requested the release of the body for burial.
“While the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have turned down the request of the father of the deceased, they have failed to explain the delay in carrying out the autopsy,” he said.
He maintained that the death of any citizen under suspicious circumstances was a matter of public concern and not merely a family affair.
“The Inspector-General of Police should take over the investigation. We equally call on the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure that the autopsy is conducted without any further delay,” Falana said.
On the death of Tanimola, whom the Presidency recently identified as a principal suspect in an alleged fake government agency case, Falana called for an independent investigation.
He recalled that the police had stated that Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025, and that the death was confirmed through hospital and mortuary records, interviews with relatives, the hotel proprietor and burial documentation.
However, Falana said some issues surrounding the incident remained unresolved.
He questioned the demolition of the hotel after public discussions about the circumstances of the fire, saying whoever authorised the action may have undermined efforts to establish the facts of the incident.
Falana argued that the investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the alleged fake agency did not cover Tanimola’s death, adding that the police should take over the matter.
The SAN also commended the Nigeria Police Force for investigating suspected politically motivated killings linked to the build-up to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He urged the Attorney-General of Osun State to ensure that suspects arrested in connection with the killings are promptly prosecuted before the High Court.
Falana further reminded authorities that the Coroner Laws of Ebonyi State, Osun State and the Federal Capital Territory require inquests into sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious deaths.
He called on the media to support demands for investigations into suspicious deaths, stressing that such cases must not be swept under the carpet.
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