Falana urges IGP to take over investigations into Habila, Tanimola deaths

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to personally take over investigations into the deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Tanimola, insisting that both cases deserve thorough and transparent investigations.

Falana warned that the incidents should not be “swept under the carpet” and called for accountability in all cases involving suspicious deaths.

Calls for speedy autopsy in Habila’s case

In a statement issued on Monday, Falana expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the death of Mary Habila, who was found dead and unclothed 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.

Although Umahi has denied any wrongdoing and maintained that Habila had an existing medical condition, Falana questioned how the matter has been handled.

He also criticised the delay in carrying out an autopsy after the Nigeria Police Force reportedly declined a request by Habila’s father to release her body for burial.

While expressing sympathy for the family, Falana said suspicious deaths are matters of public interest that require prompt and independent investigation.

Seeks independent probe into Tanimola’s death

Falana also urged authorities to launch an independent investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom the Presidency recently identified as a principal suspect in the alleged establishment of a fake government agency.

According to police records, Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025.

The senior lawyer argued that the ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the alleged fake agency does not cover the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death.

He therefore urged the Inspector-General of Police to immediately assume responsibility for investigating the case.

Calls for transparent investigations

Falana further appealed to authorities to ensure transparent investigations into politically related killings in Osun State, stressing that every suspicious death, regardless of the individuals involved, should be investigated thoroughly and independently to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.