The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has rejected plans for an autopsy and requested the release of her body for burial.
In an affidavit dated July 13 and filed before the Ebonyi State High Court, her father, Tanko Habila, said the family did not suspect foul play and asked that the police investigation into her death be discontinued.
“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.
He further urged authorities to release her body without tampering with her remains, saying the family wanted to proceed with her burial.
“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 said.
Tanko Habila also stated that the family would not honour further police or court invitations regarding the case, insisting their decision was made voluntarily and without any form of coercion or inducement.
Mary Habila worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before she was deployed to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as a personal nurse to the minister and his immediate staff for about three years.
She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after accompanying Umahi to his hometown.
Following her death, the minister requested that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death, but the family declined to give consent.
Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command said investigations would continue.
The command’s spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said police received a distress call on the day of the incident reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu, where Habila was confirmed dead on arrival.
He said the Commissioner of Police subsequently transferred the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that Habila and another medical personnel, Anita Baaki, were part of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before the incident.
The command maintained that a post-mortem examination remained necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the actual cause of death.
Police said detectives had visited the scene, taken statements from relevant persons and were making arrangements for a pathologist to conduct the examination, while awaiting the presence of the family or their representative.
The command assured the public that the investigation would be transparent and impartial, adding that further updates would be provided as the case progresses.
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