Fiery human  rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for a coroner's inquest into a physiotherapist, Mary Habila, who reportedly died under mysterious circumstances at the Ebonyi residence of Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Sowore made the demand in a public statement, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Habila's death warrant a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation before her burial.

According to him, the mysterious nature of the incident and the unanswered questions surrounding why Mary Habila was at the minister's residence made it imperative for authorities to carry out all necessary investigative and forensic procedures, including an autopsy where required by law.

"There MUST be a coroner's inquest into the death of Mary Habila at the residence of Tinubu's Minister of Works, David Umahi," Sowore stated.

He further noted that justice demands a comprehensive investigation into the incident before any burial takes place.

"Given the mysterious manner of her death and unanswered questions about the circumstances of her presence at the Minister's home, it is in the interest of justice that all appropriate investigative and forensic procedures, including, where required by law, an autopsy and any other relevant inquiries, be completed before Mary Habila is buried."

Sowore also cautioned against any attempt to hastily bury the deceased, saying such a move could compromise the investigation.

"Any attempt at hurried burial by her family must be resisted," he said.

The AAC presidential candidate further stated that Mary Habila died with blood flowing from her mouth, arguing that such a circumstance suggests her death was unnatural and should be subjected to forensic examination.

"Ms. Mary Habila died with blood flowing from her mouth, which suggests that her death is unnatural," Sowore added.

He also referenced previous allegations involving the Minister of Works, claiming there had been several unresolved mysterious deaths linked to Umahi, including the deaths of five NELAN engineers.

"There have been several allegations of mysterious deaths surrounding Umahi, including those of five NELAN Engineers that remain unsolved to date," Sowore said.

Previously,  SaharaReporters reported that the family of 26-year-old physiotherapist,  Habila announced the burial arrangements for the young healthcare professional who was found dead under controversial circumstances at the residence of Umahi in Ebonyi State.

The announcement comes as police investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death continue, while investigators insist that an autopsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported that Habila died at the minister's official residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, last Sunday.

The deceased was reportedly found naked when her body was removed from the minister's quarters, a development that has continued to fuel public outrage and demands for transparency over the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to a funeral announcement released by her family, Mary Habila was born on September 18, 2000, and died on June 27, 2026, at the age of 26.

The family disclosed that her funeral service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Relatives, friends, colleagues, church members and sympathisers are expected to gather in Nok to pay their final respects to the late physiotherapist, whose sudden death has left her family and community devastated.

The circumstances surrounding Habila's death have remained the subject of intense public scrutiny since Minister Umahi confirmed that she died at his residence.

The minister had claimed that the deceased was a physiotherapist who had been seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works.

Umahi also maintained that he had requested a comprehensive autopsy to establish the exact cause of her death, insisting that the investigation should be allowed to run its full course.

Police authorities have also insisted that an autopsy is necessary as part of ongoing investigations into the incident.

The case has continued to attract widespread attention across Nigeria, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances that led to Habila's death, particularly following reports that she was found naked inside the minister's residence.

As the family prepares to lay Mary Habila to rest on July 17, expectations remain high that the ongoing police investigation and the outcome of the autopsy will provide answers to the questions surrounding the tragic death of the young physiotherapist.