A tense standoff has emerged between the Ebonyi State Police Command and the family of a 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, who was found dead late last month at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Ebonyi State, over the demand for an autopsy.
While the Ebonyi State Police Command has maintained it will conduct a post-mortem examination, the deceased’s family has formally approached the court to block the autopsy and halt the police investigation altogether.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that 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, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, after travelling with the minister to his hometown.
Habila’s corpse was found at the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
This has led to an uproar, with many Nigerians demanding an autopsy to be conducted on the body of the dead Nurse to ascertain the cause of death.
However, the deceased’s father, Tanko Habila, in a court affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court, called for the withdrawal of police investigation into his daughter’s death.
The father also refused to allow an autopsy on the body of the dead Nurse, insisting that the family did not suspect foul play in her death.
“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.
The family also asked medical and investigative authorities to leave her body and organs untouched.
Her father said he did not want the investigation to continue and asked that his daughter’s remains be handed over to him so the family could 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 stated.
He added that the family would not honour any further police or court invitation on the matter, insisting they did not suspect foul play.
He said the decision was voluntary, made without pressure or inducement from anyone, and asked that her body be released without further delay.
“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 me,” he said.
But the police, in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, maintained that an autopsy remained necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of death.
He added that arrangements were underway to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the actual cause of death and aid the ongoing investigation.
Ukandu disclosed that the command was awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their duly appointed representative, stressing that their presence is essential for the conduct of the post-mortem examination.
“The command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.
“The command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.
“The family of the deceased has, however, claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter.
“The command nonetheless considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.
“The command, therefore, awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” the statement disclosed.
The police assured the public that a thorough, transparent, and impartial autopsy will be conducted on the dead Nurse and pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that a sworn statement made by Habila’s colleague and close friend, Anita Baaki, has come to light.
In the sworn statement, Baaki recounted the deceased’s last moment with her.
Baaki, who is from Benue State, said she was among members of staff who travelled from Abuja to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, for official duties under Umahi.
According to her affidavit filed before the state High Court, the staff members were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet located within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area.
She clarified that the building was designated for staff members and associates, not for the minister’s personal residence. Government
On the evening of June 26, Habila returned after having her hair done and stopped by Baaki’s room to show her the new hairstyle. The two chatted and joked before Habila said she was tired and intended to take a shower before going to bed.
“Mary told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” Baaki stated.
The following morning, Baaki became concerned when Habila did not come out as usual. Repeated phone calls went unanswered, prompting her to knock on Habila’s door. Finding it locked from the inside and receiving no response, she alerted a domestic staff member to search the premises.
When Habila could not be found elsewhere, other staff members were informed, and the room was forcibly opened. She was discovered lying unconscious on the floor near the door.
She was immediately taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was dead on arrival. Government.
In her affidavit, Baaki stated that her testimony was given voluntarily and without coercion, emphasising that she was making the statement solely for official and investigative purposes.
