The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, has accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of threatening its National President, Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, over a lawsuit tied to the death of 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila. At an emergency press conference in Kaduna, SOKAPU said Umahi called Kato on WhatsApp around 9:39a.m. on July 28 after learning about the suit and a Channels TV interview.

According to Kato, Umahi introduced himself and allegedly made threatening remarks. SOKAPU quoted him as saying: “I saw your suit against me. You need money, right? I will teach you a lesson you will never forget. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning and you are taking me to court. I will deal with you,” before hanging up. The group described this as an attempt to intimidate its leadership.

SOKAPU said it will not be deterred, stressing that seeking judicial intervention is a constitutional right. The union renewed its demand for an independent forensic autopsy to determine Habila’s exact cause of death. It also called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, Governor Uba Sani, the IGP, and other security agencies to take note of the alleged threats.

The allegations follow a fundamental rights suit SOKAPU filed at the Kaduna State High Court days earlier. The group is seeking an independent forensic autopsy, a fresh police investigation, and ₦20 billion in damages over Habila’s death at Umahi’s Uburu residence in Ebonyi State . SOKAPU alleged her body was taken to a mortuary without a police report and asked that pathologists from ABUTH, UCH Ibadan, and National Hospital, Abuja to conduct the autopsy.

Police authorities in Abuja have taken over the investigation from the Ebonyi Command, and Habila’s body has been moved to the National Hospital, Abuja, for a forensic autopsy. Minister Umahi has acknowledged that she died at his residence and said he supports a forensic autopsy, while denying any wrongdoing.