Falana Urges Police Investigation into Habila, Tanimola Deaths

Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has called on Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu to take over investigations into the deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Tanimola, stressing that these cases should not be overlooked. Falana demanded a prompt autopsy for Habila, who was found dead and unclad on June 27, 2026, at the home of Minister of Works David Umahi in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

Despite Umahi's denial of foul play, Falana criticized the handling of the incident, particularly the minister's interference with the crime scene. He also highlighted the delay in conducting an autopsy after Habila's father requested the body for burial, which the Nigeria Police Force rejected.

Falana insisted that suspicious deaths warrant public interest and thorough investigations. Additionally, he called for an independent inquiry into Tanimola's death, which the police attributed to a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025.