Umahi nurse death: Family rejects autopsy, seeks burial
The family of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked an Ebonyi State court to halt the police investigation into her death. The family has also refused to consent to an autopsy.
Her father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit dated July 13, 2026, and filed before the High Court of Ebonyi State, stating that the family does not suspect foul play.
*Habila
The family of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked an Ebonyi State court to halt the police investigation into her death. The family has also refused to consent to an autopsy.
Her father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit dated July 13, 2026, and filed before the High Court of Ebonyi State, stating that the family does not suspect foul play.
“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 worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before she was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as a personal nurse to Umahi and his immediate staff for about three years. She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, within the 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 insists they will not consent to the procedure and demanded that medical and investigative authorities leave her body and organs untouched.
Tanko Habila stated that he wants the investigation discontinued so the family can proceed with her burial.
“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 read.
He added that the family will not honour further police or court invitations regarding the matter. He emphasised that the decision was voluntary, made without pressure or inducement from anyone, and requested the immediate release of her remains.
“While reiterating our request for the Nigeria 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 me,” he said.
Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command stated that the investigation will continue.
The command’s spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said detectives received a distress call on the day Habila died, reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu. Ukandu noted that Habila was already dead by the time she arrived at the hospital, prompting the state Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a full inquiry.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that Habila and a colleague, identified as Anita Baaki, were both part of the minister’s medical team and had accompanied him to Uburu.
“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the command stated.
Detectives have visited the scene and taken statements. The command added that it is arranging for a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination, noting that the family’s presence is essential to the process. The police promised a transparent, impartial investigation and assured the public of further updates as the case develops.
