Mary Habila was like a daughter to me — Umahi

Minister of Works David Umahi has broken his silence on the death of Mary Habila, saying he suspects no foul play in the incident.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi described the late nurse as “like a daughter” and dismissed attempts to link him to her death as “politics taken too far.”

The minister clarified that Habila was a nurse employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, and not a physiotherapist as earlier reported.

He disclosed that she had been receiving medical treatment for an existing health condition at a Turkish hospital, adding that he personally paid her medical bills, including N2.2 million for her last treatment in April.

According to Umahi, Habila spoke with her boyfriend shortly before her death and complained of bleeding from her nose.

He said the boyfriend advised her to seek medical attention, but she reportedly insisted on continuing the conversation before the call ended. When he called back a few minutes later, she did not answer.

Umahi added that Habila had earlier told her boyfriend she intended to take a bath. The following morning, after repeated calls went unanswered, staff forced open her room and found her unconscious. She was later confirmed dead at the hospital.

The minister appealed to Habila’s family to allow a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, saying he had directed that her body should not be released for burial until the examination was conducted.

He revealed that he had also requested the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to Abuja to ensure a thorough probe and facilitate discussions with the family.

Umahi said the family’s refusal to approve an autopsy on cultural grounds was delaying efforts to establish the cause of death.

He maintained that there was no evidence suggesting criminal activity, noting that Habila’s room was locked from the inside and had to be forced open before her body was discovered.

The minister also dismissed claims linking him to the incident because it occurred at a ministry guest house, stressing that the facility where Habila stayed was separate from his personal residence.

He further criticised what he described as misinformation surrounding the case, accusing some individuals of exploiting the tragedy for political purposes and vowing to pursue legal action against those spreading false reports.

The Ebonyi State Police Command is continuing its investigation into Habila’s death, while investigators insist that a forensic autopsy remains essential to establishing the exact cause of death.