The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at a staff chalet located within the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked the Ebonyi State High Court to discontinue the police investigation into her death and release her body for burial.
In an affidavit dated July 13 and filed before the court, Habila’s father, Tanko Habila, said the family did not suspect foul play and would not consent to a post-mortem examination.
“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy,” the affidavit stated.
Mary Habila worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before she was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she reportedly served as a personal nurse to the minister and members of his immediate staff for about three years.
She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after accompanying the minister on an official trip to his hometown.
Although Umahi had requested a forensic autopsy to establish the cause of death, the family insisted that no post-mortem should be conducted and urged authorities not to tamper with her body or organs.
Habila’s father further asked that the investigation be brought to an end and that her remains be released to enable the family proceed with burial rites.
“I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” he stated.
He added that neither he nor any member of the family would honour further police or court invitations concerning the case, maintaining that they had no reason to suspect any criminal act.
Reaffirming the family’s position, he said the decision was made freely and without any form of pressure or inducement.
“While reiterating our request for the Nigerian Police to release my daughter’s corpse for burial, I wish to state that I was never induced, coerced or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions, as everything deposed here reflects the sincere wishes of my family and I,” he added.
Despite the family’s request, the Ebonyi State Police Command said investigations into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death would continue.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said the command received a distress call on the day of the incident regarding a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
According to him, Habila was confirmed dead before arriving at the hospital, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
The police said preliminary findings showed that Habila and her colleague, Anita Baaki, were members of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before the incident.
“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the command stated.
The police added that detectives had visited the scene, taken statements from relevant persons, and were making arrangements for a qualified pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination.
The command said it was awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their representatives, describing their presence as essential to the process, while assuring the public that the investigation would be transparent, impartial and guided strictly by the law.
