Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has allegedly issued a fresh warning to the National President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Associations (SOKAPU), Engr. Samuel Tabara Kato, amid the escalating controversy surrounding the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila and the N20 billion lawsuit filed against him.
In a WhatsApp message seen by SaharaReporters, a phone number said to belong to Umahi warned Kato not to fear the legal consequences of the lawsuit, while also referencing the SOKAPU president’s recent media engagements, including an interview with CNN.
“Don’t be afraid of the market u purchased. U will hear from legal authorities soonest. Continue another funny conference with CNN,” the message read.
“U want 20bn naira over the unfortunate death of someone that u know nothing about. U will get 20bn different suits for a lesson of ur funny life.”
The latest message comes barely a day after SOKAPU publicly accused the minister of threatening its president over the legal action seeking an independent investigation into Habila’s controversial death.
SaharaReporters had reported that at an emergency press conference on Tuesday, SOKAPU alleged that Umahi called Kato via WhatsApp at about 9:39 a.m. on July 28 after learning of the lawsuit and a television interview the SOKAPU president granted on Channels Television.
According to Kato, the caller identified himself as the Minister of Works before allegedly issuing threats over the case.
“I am David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works. I saw your suit against me, you need money right? I will teach you a lesson of your life such that you will learn never to mess with person like me. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning and there you are taking me to court. I will deal with you!” Kato quoted the minister as saying before the call ended.
SOKAPU condemned the alleged remarks, describing them as intimidation aimed at discouraging the association from pursuing legal action over Habila’s death.
The group insisted that its decision to approach the court was a constitutional right and maintained that no amount of intimidation would force it to abandon the case.
It also reiterated its demand for an independent forensic autopsy to determine the true cause of Habila’s death, rather than what it described as attempts to proceed with her burial without conclusive medical findings.
The association further called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take note of the alleged threats against its leadership.
WATCH: SOKAPU Alleges Minister Umahi Threatened Its President Over N20Billion Mary Habila Death Lawsuit: ‘I Will Deal With You, Teach You A Lesson’ pic.twitter.com/XkFOzixk0a
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 29, 2026
The legal dispute stems from a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by SOKAPU before the Kaduna State High Court against Umahi, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and Habila’s father, Mr. Habila Tanko Wisdom.
In the suit, marked KDH/KAF/26/2026, the association is seeking an order directing an independent forensic autopsy, a fresh police investigation and ₦20 billion in damages over Habila’s death at Umahi’s country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27, 2026.
According to the suit, Habila died under what SOKAPU described as “unexplained, controversial and unnatural circumstances.
The association alleged that her body was moved to a mortuary without any formal report first being made to the Nigeria Police Force and asked the court to order that an independent team of pathologists from the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the National Hospital, Abuja, conduct the autopsy.
SOKAPU is also seeking an order compelling the Nigeria Police Force to carry out a comprehensive investigation before Habila’s remains are released for burial.
The association argued that Umahi owed the deceased a duty of care while she was under his custody and supervision and is therefore seeking ₦20 billion in damages.
The case has attracted nationwide attention following conflicting accounts surrounding Habila’s death and widespread public calls for an independent forensic investigation.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja took over the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command, while plans were made to move Habila’s body to the Federal Capital Territory for forensic examination.
Public concern intensified after photographs allegedly showing Habila with blood around her mouth and nose circulated on social media, prompting renewed demands for an independent autopsy.
Although Habila’s father initially filed an affidavit indicating that the family did not suspect foul play and opposed an autopsy, the proposed burial was later halted amid public outrage and growing calls for a transparent investigation.
On Monday, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Habila’s body had been moved to the National Hospital, Abuja, following correspondence between lawyers representing the parties over the proposed autopsy and the venue for the investigation.
In a letter dated July 17, 2026, counsel to Umahi, Roy O. Nweze (SAN), requested that Habila’s father confirm within 48 hours whether he consented to an autopsy.
In response, the father’s lawyer, K.I. Yusuf, informed the Inspector-General of Police that his client had agreed to the autopsy on the condition that the investigation be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Top sources familiar with the matter subsequently told SaharaReporters that Habila’s body was secretly flown to Abuja and deposited at the National Hospital ahead of the forensic examination.
Umahi has acknowledged that Habila died at his residence and has consistently maintained that he supports a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death. The minister has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with the incident.
(SaharaReporters)