POLICE INSIST ON INVESTIGATION AS MARY HABILA’S FAMILY REJECTS AUTOPSY

The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has opposed plans to conduct an autopsy on her body and requested that it be released immediately for burial.

According to reports by Arise Television, Mary’s father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, stating that the family does not suspect foul play in her death.

While acknowledging efforts to determine the cause of his daughter’s death, Habila said the family would not consent to an autopsy or any procedure involving her body.

He also asked that the ongoing police investigation be discontinued and appealed for the immediate release of her remains to enable the family to proceed with burial rites.

Mary Habila worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before being deployed to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as a personal nurse to Minister David Umahi and members of his immediate team for about three years.

She reportedly died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after accompanying the minister to his hometown.

Although Minister Umahi had requested an autopsy to establish the cause of death, the family maintained that they would not permit the examination.

In his affidavit, Habila stated that the family would neither participate in further police investigations nor honour future court or police invitations, insisting that their decision was made voluntarily and without pressure or influence from any individual.

Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command said investigations into the case would continue.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, explained that officers responded to a distress call on the day of the incident involving a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu.

According to the police, Habila was confirmed dead before arriving at the hospital, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation.

Preliminary findings indicated that Habila and another nurse, identified as Anita Baaki, were members of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before the incident.

The police maintained that a post-mortem examination remains necessary to establish the actual cause of death, given the sensitive nature of the case.

The command disclosed that detectives have visited the scene, taken statements from relevant persons, and are making arrangements for a pathologist to conduct the examination. It added that it is awaiting the presence of the deceased’s family or their representative, describing their participation as important to the process.

The police assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently, and impartially, with further updates to be provided as the case progresses.