‎Mary Habila’s Family Rejects Autopsy, Seeks Immediate Release of Body as Police Continue Probe

The family of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila has formally rejected an autopsy and requested the immediate release of her body for burial, even as the Ebonyi State Police Command insists investigations into her death will continue.

‎Habila’s father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit dated July 13 and filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, stating that the family does not suspect foul play in her daughter’s death.

‎According to the affidavit, the family welcomed efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death but would not consent to any post-mortem examination.

‎”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.

Mary Habila, who worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before being seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, served as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and members of his immediate staff for about three years.

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

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‎Although Umahi reportedly requested that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of her death, the family maintained its opposition to the procedure, asking that her body and organs remain untouched.

‎Tanko Habila also urged authorities to discontinue the investigation and release his daughter’s remains to enable the family proceed with burial arrangements.

‎”I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” he stated.

The bereaved father further declared that neither he nor any member of the family would honour further police or court invitations concerning the matter, insisting that the decision was made voluntarily and without external influence.

‎”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 by anybody to make these depositions, as everything deposed here reflects the sincere wishes of my family and me,” he added.

‎Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command has maintained that the investigation will proceed.

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‎Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu said officers received a distress call on the day of the incident reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu. However, Habila was confirmed dead before arriving at the facility.

He said the Commissioner of Police subsequently transferred the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Preliminary findings, according to the police, indicate that Habila and another nurse, Anita Baaki, were members of the minister’s medical team and had accompanied him to Uburu before the incident occurred.

‎Punch report that the command stressed that a post-mortem examination remains necessary to establish the actual cause of death, adding that detectives have visited the scene, obtained witness statements and are awaiting the presence of the family or their representative before the autopsy can be conducted.

‎Police also assured the public that the investigation would be transparent, impartial and guided by due process, with further updates to be provided as the case progresses.

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