The family of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila, who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked an Ebonyi State High Court to stop the police investigation into her death. They have also refused to allow an autopsy on her body.
Her father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit dated July 13 and filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State. He said 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 posted to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja. She served as a personal nurse to Umahi and his immediate staff for about three years.
She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after travelling with the minister to his hometown.
Although Umahi requested an autopsy to determine the cause of her death, the family said they would not give consent. They also asked medical and investigative authorities not to touch her body or organs.
Her father said he wanted the investigation to end and asked that her body be released for 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 said the family would not honour any further police or court invitation because they do not suspect foul play. He also insisted the decision was made freely, without pressure or inducement, and asked that her body be released without 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 I,” he said.
Despite the family’s request, the Ebonyi State Police Command said its investigation would continue.
Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu said officers received a distress call on the day Habila died, reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu. He said she was already dead before arriving at the hospital, leading the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Police said early findings showed Habila and a colleague, Anita Baaki, were members of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before her death.
“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the command said.
The police said detectives have visited the scene and taken statements. They are making arrangements for a pathologist to carry out the post-mortem and are waiting for the family or their representative to be present, describing their attendance as necessary. The command also promised a transparent and impartial investigation and said more updates would be provided as the case progresses.
