Minister of Works David Umahi launches an aggressive lawsuit against social media users spreading malicious falsehoods regarding the tragic death of a nurse in his Ebonyi compound.
Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has officially initiated legal action against individuals spreading what he described as malicious and false reports regarding the tragic passing of a nurse in his hometown compound.
The minister’s decisive move follows viral social media claims alleging secrecy and cover-ups surrounding the death of Mary Habila, an employee of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH).
Speaking on Sunday during an inspection tour of the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi confirmed that his legal team has been fully briefed to aggressively pursue justice against those circulating the defamatory content.
The minister strongly condemned the misinformation, attributing it to bad actors hiding behind online personas. He clarified that the sequence of events leading to the discovery of the deceased was entirely transparent and fully documented.
According to Umahi, the nurse’s family grew concerned when she failed to respond, prompting them to force open her room door.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” Umahi stated.
Addressing the core allegation of a cover-up, the minister noted that law enforcement was involved immediately. “The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
The minister disclosed that the deceased’s parents are currently in Ebonyi and plan to address the press shortly. Furthermore, the family intends to file an independent lawsuit against the purveyors of the online rumors.
While Umahi has directed that a comprehensive autopsy be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, he emphasized that the procedure will only move forward with the explicit, formal consent of the parents.
Paying tribute to the deceased, Umahi described Habila as a dedicated professional who had closely managed his medical vital signs for three years. He heavily criticized content creators for exploiting a personal and family tragedy for digital engagement, warning that the legal consequences for such actions would be severe.
In tandem with the death-claim rebuttals, Umahi firmly dismissed separate online reports attempting to link him to an alleged kidnapping suspect reportedly hired by the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu, during his tenure as governor.
“Can the purveyors of such news provide a photograph of me and such person?” Umahi challenged, adding that it was impossible to personally know every recruit within a state-wide security apparatus.
Reiterating his long-standing stance against violent crime, the minister stated his unwavering support for maximum penalties against kidnappers. He concluded that the coordinated wave of negative press is strictly politically motivated, reinforcing his commitment to defend his reputation through lawful means.
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