EXCLUSIVE: Mary Habila Found Dead At Minister Umahi's Residence Was Community Health Worker, Not Physiotherapist, University Sources Back NSP’s Position

Mary Habila, the young woman found dead at the residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, was a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) rather than a physiotherapist as previously reported, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that Habila was employed as a Community Health Extension Worker and was placed on the payroll of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), allegedly through the influence of the Minister of Works, despite reportedly lacking the qualifications required for the position she was said to occupy.

The latest revelation comes amid mounting public scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death at Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as calls continue to grow for a transparent and independent investigation into the incident.

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported that Habila died at the minister’s residence and that her body was allegedly found naked when it was removed from his private quarters, a revelation that intensified public outrage and renewed demands for accountability.

Fresh information obtained by SaharaReporters from multiple sources familiar with the matter further indicates that Habila was not a physiotherapist, contrary to earlier claims, but a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) who was allegedly placed on the payroll of DUFUHS through the influence of Minister Umahi.

“The lady in question was a CHEW (Community Health Extension Worker) by qualifications and not a physiotherapist. She was drafted into the University payroll by Umahi,” a source at the university said.

The sources alleged that Habila did not possess the qualifications required to be employed by the university as a physiotherapist.

“The lady was not qualified as a physiotherapist but because of her relationship with Umahi, he found a way,” another source alleged.

The sources further claimed that before she was placed on the university’s payroll, Habila spent most of her time at Umahi’s residence in Uburu. They alleged that even after securing employment at DUFUHS, she continued to spend much of her time at the residence until her death.

“We are not sure of what she did in the house exactly but she was well known in the residence,” one of the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) had earlier debunked claims that Habila was a physiotherapist, stating that her name was not found in the database of registered physiotherapists. The position contradicted assertions by the minister’s team that she was a physiotherapist on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works.

The professional body said it reached the conclusion after verifying Habila’s credentials through the appropriate regulatory channels, according to a statement issued by its Public Relations Team last Thursday.

“Following verification through the appropriate regulatory channels, the name ‘Mary Habila,’ as stated, does not appear on the database of registered physiotherapists,” the statement said.

The society stressed that the development highlighted the need for public officials to verify professional claims before making public statements.

The association maintained that professional identity must be established through recognised regulatory processes rather than assumptions.

“We trust that this clarification will guide subsequent discussions and remind all stakeholders that the integrity of regulated professions must be respected. The public deserves accuracy, and professionals deserve to have their qualifications and identities represented truthfully,” it said.

The NSP also expressed condolences to Habila’s family, noting that the controversy should not overshadow the tragedy of her death.

The clarification came days after Umahi, in a statement issued on Saturday, July 11 by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, stated that Habila and another woman, Anita Baaki, were physiotherapists employed by DUFUHS, Uburu, who had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works for the past three years.

“It is important to clarify that Miss Mary Habila and Miss Anita Baski are employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years until the unfortunate passing of Miss Habila,” Umahi had said.

Habila died on June 27 under controversial circumstances at the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

Her death has sparked widespread public interest and an ongoing police investigation, with authorities insisting that a forensic autopsy is necessary to determine the exact cause of death before her body is released for burial.