ABUJA — Tension has flared between the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) and the Federal Ministry of Works following grave allegations by SOKAPU President, Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, that the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, issued direct threats against him during a telephone conversation.

The alleged confrontation stems from a N20 billion lawsuit filed against the minister over the tragic death of Miss Mary Habila along a federal road project axis.

“I Will Give You 10 Lawsuits”: The Alleged WhatsApp Call

According to Engr. Kato, the Minister of Works reached out via a WhatsApp call to express fury over the legal action, warning him of severe legal and personal consequences for bringing the suit against his office.

“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!”

— Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, SOKAPU President (quoting Minister David Umahi)

The N20bn Lawsuit Background

The feud traces back to a high-profile legal action instituted following the untimely death of Miss Mary Habila, a young indigene of Southern Kaduna, who lost her life in a fatal accident linked to alleged negligence and uncompleted hazards on a federal highway construction corridor.

• SOKAPU’s Position: The socio-cultural organization instituted the multi-billion naira lawsuit demanding compensation for the victim’s family, institutional accountability, and urgent safety remediations along federal road sites.
• The Alleged Intimidation: SOKAPU leaders claim that rather than addressing the safety defects outlined in the court filings, the Minister resorted to personal threats, intimidation, and counter-suit warnings to force a withdrawal of the suit.

Dispute Overview

  PLAINTIFF / ACCUSER: Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato (President, SOKAPU)
  DEFENDANT / ACCUSED: Senator David Umahi (Hon. Minister of Works)
  CORE DISPUTE:        N20 Billion lawsuit over the death of Mary Habila on a federal road project
  NATURE OF INCIDENT:  Alleged telephone intimidation, threat of multiple counter-lawsuits, and personal harm
  CURRENT STATUS:      SOKAPU raises security alert; calls on security agencies and legal bodies to intervene

SOKAPU Demands Protection and Institutional Probe

Following the alleged phone call, SOKAPU executive officers have issued a public security alert regarding the safety of their president, holding the Minister of Works accountable should any harm befall Engr. Kato or key members of the union.

Civil society groups and Southern Kaduna stakeholders have called on the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and human rights oversight bodies to investigate the alleged threat of executive intimidation against citizens exercising their legal rights in court.