Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice has reportedly signalled its intention to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 26-year-old physiotherapist Mary Habila, whose lifeless body was discovered at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on June 27, 2026. While the government's stated commitment to inquiry represents a potential step toward accountability, questions about the independence and credibility of any such investigation have already emerged, with the family's plans for burial on Friday hanging in the balance as authorities insist on an autopsy. The case has ignited a national firestorm, with opposition parties, civil society groups, and human rights activists demanding a transparent probe into what they describe as a "mysterious and unnatural" death that has exposed deep fault lines in Nigeria's justice system.
Fresh details from the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecutions have painted a graphic picture of the discovery. According to a legal advice dated July 15, 2026, and obtained by SaharaReporters, Habila was found "naked, lying lifeless on the floor, with blood around her nose and mouth". The DPP's review of the case file revealed that she was alone at the time she was found and that there was no evidence she had been ill prior to her sudden death, as she was "full of life" upon her return to Uburu. The legal advice stressed that only a post-mortem examination could resolve the central question: "What exactly caused the deceased sudden death?".
The Habila family, however, has announced that her funeral service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The family has reportedly declined to request an autopsy, preferring to bury their daughter without further forensic examination. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians who argue that a proper investigation is necessary to establish the truth and deter future occurrences. The standoff has left Habila's body in the custody of authorities, with investigators weighing whether to respect the family's wishes or proceed with a post-mortem using statutory powers.
The circumstances of Habila's death have been shrouded in controversy from the outset. According to reports, Habila and a colleague, Anita Baski, both employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, arrived at Umahi's residence in Uburu on June 26. Habila was found dead the following morning. A police officer serving as Umahi's personal assistant reportedly brought the two women to the residence. Umahi has publicly denied any wrongdoing, stating that he called for a full autopsy and urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed without interference. He has also threatened legal action against individuals he accused of spreading false information.
The opposition African Democratic Congress has called for an independent investigation, demanding that Umahi step aside while the probe is conducted. The party accused the Tinubu administration of protecting top government officials from proper scrutiny, warning that failure to ensure accountability would strengthen public belief that senior officials are shielded from investigation. Human rights activist Chikwado Chukwu has also called for a thorough probe, questioning why a minister would need a physiotherapist at his village home for three years and why it took a private media outfit to bring the case to public attention nearly two weeks after the death.
As the nation awaits the next steps, the credibility of any investigation will be judged not by promises but by actions. With Habila's body yet to be released and her family preparing for a burial that may be blocked by authorities, the case has become a pivotal test of Nigeria's commitment to justice, transparency, and the principle that no citizen, regardless of their connections, should be above the law. For now, Mary Habila's family and the Nigerian public are left to wonder whether the truth will ever be uncovered—or whether this will become another case where power and influence triumph over accountability.
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