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Fresh legal developments have intensified the investigation into the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the office of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, as authorities continue efforts to determine the cause of her sudden death. While Habila’s family is demanding the immediate release of her remains for burial, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice has advised that a post-mortem examination is necessary, noting that available evidence does not suggest she had any known health condition before her death.
The family, through its lawyer, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, accusing the Ebonyi State Police Command of unlawfully withholding Habila’s body despite repeated requests for its release. Her father, Wisdom Habila, insisted the family does not want an autopsy and only wishes to bury their daughter, maintaining that they are not accusing anyone of causing her death. Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death—including reports that she was found lifeless in her apartment with bloodstains around her nose and mouth—make a post-mortem essential to establish the exact cause of death.
Police have also begun inviting individuals considered relevant to the investigation to provide statements as part of ongoing inquiries. Although Minister David Umahi has denied any wrongdoing, describing Habila as “like a daughter” and insisting there is no evidence of foul play, investigators say the case remains open pending the outcome of their investigation and any decision regarding the proposed autopsy.
