Police to conduct autopsy on woman who died in Umahi’s residence

The Ebonyi State Police Command has engaged the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination on Mary Habila to determine the cause of her death.

Habila, a nurse on secondment to the Ministry of Works, allegedly died at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The command said the decision was part of its ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the young woman, who was attached to the minister’s medical team.

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, who made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, said the command received a distress call on June 27 from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Division, informing police of a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

Ukandu said upon the DPO’s arrival at the hospital, he was informed by medical authorities that Habila was brought in dead.

He said the DPO immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for comprehensive investigation.

The police spokesman said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and another colleague were members of the medical team attached to the minister and had accompanied him to Uburu, where she later died in a room within his residential compound.

Ukandu stated: “The command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.

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“The command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.”

Ukandu, however, disclosed that the deceased’s family had expressed opposition to an autopsy on their daughter.

He said despite the family’s position, police considered the examination necessary due to the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the actual cause the nurse’s death.

According to him, the command is awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their authorised representative, whose presence is required for the post-mortem examination.

He assured the public that police would carry out a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation and provide further updates as the case progresses.