Father of nurse who died at Umahi’s home rejects autopsy, seeks end to probe

The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked an Ebonyi State High Court to halt the police investigation into her death and release her body for burial.

In an affidavit dated July 13, her father, Tanko Habila, stated that the family does not suspect foul play and would not consent to an autopsy.

“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy,” the affidavit stated.

Habila, who worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as a personal nurse to the minister and his immediate staff for about three years.

She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after travelling with the minister to his hometown.

Although Umahi had requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death, the family insisted it would not permit the procedure and asked that her body and organs remain untouched.

Her father further urged authorities to discontinue the investigation and release her remains to enable the family proceed with burial rites.

“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 respond to further police or court invitations, maintaining that they do not suspect any wrongdoing.

“While reiterating our request for the Nigerian Police to release my daughter’s corpse for burial, I wish to state that I was never induced, coerced or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions, as everything deposed here reflects the sincere wishes of my family and I,” he said.

Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command said the investigation would continue.

The command’s spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that officers received a distress call on the day of the incident reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

According to him, Habila was confirmed dead on arrival, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further probe.

Police said preliminary findings indicated that Habila and a colleague, identified as Anita Baaki, were part of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before her death.

“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the command said.

The police added that detectives had visited the scene and taken statements, and that arrangements were underway for a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination.

They noted that the presence of the family or their representatives was essential to the process and assured the public of a transparent and impartial investigation, with updates to follow as developments unfold.