‘How Mary Habila died’ – Colleague Anita Baaki narrates

Anita Baaki, a physiotherapist friend and colleague of Mary Habila, the nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, has narrated the events leading to Habila’s death.

Her narration was contained in a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday.

According to Baaki, a Benue citizen, she travelled with Habila and other ministry officials from Abuja to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, for an official assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Baaki disclosed that they were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The deceased’s friend maintained that the chalet was designated for ministry staff and associates and was not the minister’s personal residence, stressing that she last saw Habila alive on the evening of June 26 after she returned from having her hair done.

According to her, Habila stopped by her room to show off her new hairstyle before they chatted and joked for a while.

“Habila told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” Baaki stated in the affidavit.

The physiotherapist said she became terrified the following morning when Habila did not come out of her room as expected, emphasising that repeated calls to Habila’s phone went unanswered, prompting her to knock on the door.

She revealed that when there was no response and the room remained locked from the inside, she alerted a domestic staff member to search the premises, noting that after Habila could not be found elsewhere, other staff members were informed and the room was forced open.

The Benue-born physiotherapist reiterated that Habila was found lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room, adding that she was immediately taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was dead on arrival.

Baaki said her statement was made voluntarily and without coercion to assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

DAILY POST reports that police investigations are ongoing, while lawyers representing the Minister of Works have requested a comprehensive forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death before Habila’s remains are released for burial.