Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The father of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old physiotherapist who died on June 27, 2026, at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has formally rejected plans for an autopsy on his daughter's remains and requested the withdrawal of further police investigation into her death. In an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, a resident of Sabon Gari Noh, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, said the family does not suspect foul play and wants her body released for burial without further medical or investigative procedures. According to the affidavit, which was sworn before the High Court Registry in Abakaliki on July 13, 2026, the family would not consent to any post-mortem examination.
The affidavit, titled "Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case," stated that Mary Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences who was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years before her death. The document further revealed that she served as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works and members of his immediate staff, residing at the Minister's Guest House in Abuja and at the Minister's Staff Quarters in Ebonyi State. Despite the Minister of Works requesting an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, the family has opposed the procedure.
The affidavit read: "While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter's death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter's body. That it is my family's wish and humble appeal, despite medical and investigative protocols, to leave her body and organs intact." The family also requested that the investigation be discontinued and that the remains of his daughter be released for 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," the affidavit stated. He added that the family would not honour further invitations from the police or the court, maintaining that they had no suspicion of foul play. The deponent further told the court that the family's decision was made voluntarily and without any form of pressure or inducement.
Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after accompanying the minister to his hometown. Reports indicate that she and another medical personnel, identified as Anita Baaki, were part of the minister's medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before the incident. According to police accounts, the Divisional Police Officer in Ohaozara received a distress call reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu. Upon arrival, he was informed that Habila had been brought in dead. The case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.
Despite the family's opposition, the Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted that an autopsy remains necessary to establish the true cause of death. The command's spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said detectives had visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons, and the command was set to engage the services of a pathologist for a post-mortem examination. "The Command considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death," Ukandu said. He explained that the police were awaiting the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination. The police have assured the public of a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation and promised to provide further updates as the case progresses.
The family has since fixed Friday, July 17, 2026, for the burial of Mary Habila at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, despite the police insistence on an autopsy. The legal representatives of the Minister of Works have also urged the police to ensure that a comprehensive autopsy is conducted by qualified forensic pathologists before her remains are released for burial, arguing that a scientific determination of the cause of death is critical. The minister had earlier denied any wrongdoing and expressed shock over the incident, advising the family to consent to an autopsy.
The death of Mary Habila has generated widespread public attention, with social media speculation and conflicting accounts fuelling demands for a transparent investigation. Human rights activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for a coroner's inquest, alleging that Habila died with blood flowing from her mouth, suggesting an unnatural death. However, the police spokesperson said he could not verify that claim.
As the family moves forward with burial plans, the police investigation continues, setting the stage for a potential legal confrontation over the custody of the body and the conduct of the autopsy. The case has drawn attention to the broader issues of accountability, due process, and the rights of families in death investigations.
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