Mary Habila’s death: Police insist on autopsy amid growing controversies

The circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist attached to the office of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, took a fresh turn on Wednesday as the Ebonyi State Police Command insisted that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to establish the actual cause of her death.

The latest development came as Habila’s family announced that she would be buried on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nok, in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

But in a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that although the deceased’s family had expressed opposition to an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case.

“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 deceased’s family or their authorised representative before the post-mortem examination could be carried out.

According to the police, the command received a distress report on June 27 from the Divisional Police Officer in Ohaozara over a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

Ukandu said the victim was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.

Preliminary findings, he said, showed that Habila and another medical personnel were members of the medical team attached to Senator Umahi and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of the minister’s residence.

Detectives have since visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant witnesses and commenced what the command described as a thorough investigation.

“The Command assures the public of a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the matter,” Ukandu added.

Habila, popularly known as Mara, reportedly worked with the Federal Ministry of Works after being seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences.

Her death at the minister’s country home generated widespread public attention, with conflicting accounts and social media speculation fuelling demands for a transparent investigation.

The controversy intensified after claims circulated that her body was allegedly found unclothed when she was taken out of the residence, although investigators have yet to confirm the circumstances surrounding her death.

As of Wednesday, the Ebonyi State Police Command said investigations were still ongoing, with no official conclusion reached on the cause of death or criminal liability.