The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has approached an Ebonyi State High Court to withdraw the ongoing police investigation into her death and has explicitly refused to permit an autopsy on her body.
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In an affidavit dated July 13, 2026, the deceased’s father, Tanko Habila, stated that the family does not suspect any foul play surrounding her death. He requested that medical and investigative authorities leave her body and organs untouched, demanding instead that her remains be immediately released to the family for burial.
Habila, who was employed at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, serving as a personal nurse to the minister and his immediate staff for approximately three years.
She passed away on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after traveling with the minister to his hometown.
Although Minister David Umahi had initially requested a comprehensive autopsy to determine the precise cause of death, the Habila family has firmly declined to give consent. In the court affidavit, the father emphasized that the decision was made voluntarily without any external pressure, coercion, or inducement.
He further declared that the family would no longer honor subsequent police or court invitations regarding the matter.
Despite the family’s formal petition, the Ebonyi State Police Command has maintained that its investigation into the incident will proceed.
State Police Spokesperson Joshua Ukandu confirmed that detectives are still actively looking into the case, which began when the command received a distress call reporting a severe medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu on the day of her passing.
CULLED FROM PUNCH
