Mary Habila: Legal Advice Raises Fresh Questions Over Umahi Aide’s Mysterious Death

• The mystery surrounding nurse Mary Habila’s death has deepened as her family petitions the IGP, police widen investigations and authorities push for an autopsy.

The mystery surrounding the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the office of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has taken a new turn as the family petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the immediate release of her body for burial, while investigators continue efforts to establish the cause of her death.

The development comes amid a growing dispute between Habila’s family and investigators over whether a post-mortem examination should be conducted before her remains are released.

While the family insists on burying their daughter without an autopsy, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice has advised that a post-mortem examination is necessary, arguing that available evidence raises unanswered questions surrounding her sudden death.

Family petitions IGP over detention of body

Through their lawyer, K.A. Yusuf, Habila’s family on Friday submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, accusing the Ebonyi State Police Command of unlawfully withholding her remains weeks after her death.

The petition, titled “Complaint Against the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, for the Unlawful Refusal to Release the Corpse of Late Mary Habila for Burial,” urged the police chief to intervene and direct the immediate release of the body.

According to the family, they have complied with all police requests since Habila died on June 27, 2026, but have continued to face delays in recovering her remains.

The family argued that the continued detention of the body has caused severe emotional, psychological, financial and cultural hardship while preventing them from performing traditional and religious burial rites.

Speaking after submitting the petition in Abuja, Habila’s father, Wisdom Habila, maintained that the family’s only request was to bury their daughter.

“All that I want is the body of my daughter. We don’t keep the body of a little child for this long. I need the corpse of my daughter to take her for burial.”

When asked why the family opposed an autopsy despite police recommendations, he insisted they had made their decision.

“I don’t want the autopsy. That is why I am demanding the release of the corpse of my daughter.”

He also clarified that the family was not accusing anyone of causing Mary’s death.

“I am not suspecting anybody because death can occur. We are not suspecting anybody.”

Ministry of Justice backs autopsy

However, a legal opinion issued by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice has recommended a post-mortem examination to determine what led to Habila’s sudden death.

The legal advice, dated July 15, 2026, and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), J.U. Chukwu, stated that investigators had found no evidence suggesting the deceased suffered from any illness before her death.

According to the document, Habila returned to Uburu on June 26 “full of life” and showed no signs of medical instability.

The DPP noted that available evidence indicated she was found alone in her apartment, unclothed, with bloodstains around her nose and mouth.

The ministry argued that only a post-mortem examination could establish both the immediate and underlying causes of death and guide the direction of police investigations.

“There was no evidence that the deceased was sick or unstable health-wise prior to her sudden death.”

The legal advice, however, acknowledged that the police retain the discretion to either respect the family’s request or proceed with the autopsy in the interest of justice.

Police widen investigation

As the disagreement continues, police have expanded their investigation by inviting individuals considered relevant to the case to provide statements.

A senior police source confirmed that several persons connected to the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death had been questioned.

“They have been invited by the police to make statements. Whether you call it an arrest or an invitation, they have all made their statements.”

The source declined to disclose details of the statements, saying investigations remain ongoing.

Officials of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice also assured that the investigation would be conducted transparently and without interference.

Umahi denies wrongdoing

Minister of Works David Umahi, who broke his silence on the matter on Thursday, dismissed allegations linking him to Habila’s death, describing them as politically motivated.

Umahi said the deceased was like a daughter to him and had worked closely with him for about three years.

He disclosed that Habila had experienced previous medical challenges, which he personally helped to manage, and claimed she complained of bleeding from her nose during a telephone conversation with her boyfriend shortly before she died.

According to the minister, there was no evidence suggesting foul play.

His media aide, Francis Nwaeze, also stated that he was unaware of any invitation issued to the minister by the police.

Family rejects reports about Habila

The family’s lawyer also refuted reports describing Habila as a physiotherapist, insisting she was a qualified nurse employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences before being deployed to the minister’s office.

He said the family possesses her appointment letter, salary records and other employment documents to prove her status.

A colleague of the deceased, Anita Baaki, supported the clarification, explaining that she—not Habila—is the physiotherapist.

“She is a nurse. I am the physiotherapist. Reports saying she was a physiotherapist are not correct.”

The lawyer further condemned attempts to tarnish Habila’s reputation following her death, insisting she deserved dignity and respect.

Calls for independent investigation

The case has continued to generate nationwide attention, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar calling on President Bola Tinubu to suspend Umahi pending the outcome of an independent investigation.

Atiku argued that the probe should not be handled solely within Ebonyi State because of the minister’s political influence.

Several civil society groups have also demanded a thorough and transparent investigation.

However, a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo rejected calls for Umahi’s resignation, describing them as premature and politically motivated.

The group urged investigators to conclude their work without interference and warned against drawing conclusions before all the facts are established.

Similarly, traditional rulers from Umahi’s community appealed for calm, urging authorities to conduct a professional, evidence-based investigation while avoiding the politicisation of the case.