Dr. Sam Amadi, a political analyst and director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has stated that Minister of Works David Umahi should not have spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death, insisting that the police should have led communication on the case.
Amadi, who commented on the scandal surrounding the death of the 26-year-old nurse associated with the minister, called the scenario as “a PR disaster and an ethical disaster.”
The former head of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, or NERC, announced this on Friday while answering questions on Arise Television’s broadcast.
He stated that public officials facing serious allegations should step aside to allow for open investigations, and that the President should hold ministers accountable in such cases.
He believes Umahi should have first reported to the police and provided a statement as someone close to the deceased before speaking to the public.
“You’ll need to strike a balance. First, they should step away when the allegations are serious.
“But even if they don’t, the boss—the President—should demand it,” Amadi remarked.
“Let’s look at Umahi’s case; it’s both a public relations and ethical nightmare. I’ve never heard a minister refuse to travel with nurses for personal medical reasons, but a 26-year-old lady as a personal nurse who stays with you, travels with you, and lives in your home—and then dies under these circumstances? That is enough for you to go to the police and give a statement. The police should depose you because you’re the top suspect due to proximity, whether you’re a decent or evil man; that’s just the way it is.”
Amadi also chastised the minister for hosting press conferences on the subject, claiming that such public appearances risk weakening trust in the probe.
He stated that the Nigeria Police Force should have provided regular updates to assure the public that a transparent inquiry was taking place.
“Instead, he’s been on a show, holding press conferences, discussing the case, and precluding everything. And the affidavit the parents allegedly signed, stating, ‘We don’t want anything, we don’t want a press check,’ anyone looking at it will conclude that this is a cover-up, that these people were coerced to do it’, he claimed.
He also criticised the police for their quiet on the issue.
“In these circumstances, what do you expect from the police first?” The cops have issued no official remark. In this instance, the police public relations officer should speak and provide regular updates. That boosts people’s confidence. Instead, they threaten war on everyone. “That is recklessly irresponsible on the highest level,” he stated.