*Mary Habila's father withdraws case, rejects autopsy, seeks immediate release of body
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted that a forensic autopsy must be conducted on the remains of Miss Mary Habila before her body is released for burial, despite the family's opposition, saying the examination is indispensable to establishing the true cause of her death and ensuring a credible investigation.
The position of the Command was contained in a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, following ongoing investigations into the death of Habila, a member of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
According to the police, the Command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer, Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
The statement said that upon arrival at the hospital, the DPO was informed by medical personnel that Habila had been brought in dead, prompting the Commissioner of Police to immediately transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a detailed investigation.
Preliminary investigations, the police said, revealed that the deceased and another colleague were part of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
The Command disclosed that detectives have visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons and concluded arrangements to engage a forensic pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination.
However, the police said the deceased's family had objected to the planned autopsy.
"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," Ukandu said.
He added that the police would not compromise investigative standards, stressing that the Command was awaiting the attendance of the deceased's family or their duly appointed representative before proceeding with the examination.
"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 police spokesman stated.
Ukandu further assured that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias.
"The Ebonyi State Police Command assures the public of a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into this matter and will provide further updates as the case progresses," he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has also formally requested the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that a comprehensive forensic autopsy is conducted before Habila's remains are released to her family.
In a letter dated July 15, 2026, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, Umahi's solicitors, Roy & Associates, said the request was made in the interest of justice and transparency.
The letter, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Roy O. U. Nwaeze, stated that Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works and died in a staff accommodation located within the minister's residential compound, but separate from his personal residence.
According to the solicitors, the deceased did not reside in the same building as the minister, adding that the accommodation was designated exclusively for members of his staff and other officials working with him.
The letter further stated that only the deceased and another female physiotherapist occupied the building on the night of the incident.
"Our Client respectfully requests that the Nigeria Police Force cause a comprehensive autopsy to be conducted on the remains of the deceased by qualified forensic pathologists for the purpose of scientifically and independently ascertaining the actual cause and circumstances of her death," the letter read.
The solicitors also urged the police not to release the remains to any individual, including the deceased's next of kin, until the autopsy and all related investigative procedures had been concluded.
"This request is made to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively determined before the remains are interred," the letter added.
NATIOANL PANEL reports that the development has placed the Ebonyi State Police Command and the legal representatives of the Minister of Works on the same page regarding the need for a forensic examination, even as the family of the deceased maintains its opposition to an autopsy.
Though an official date for the autopsy has not been fixed but Ebonyi residents expressed optimism that the outcome of the post-mortem examination is expected to play a critical role in determining the cause and circumstances surrounding Habila's death as police continue their investigation.
However, the father of the late Miss Mary Habila, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, has formally withdrawn from the investigation into his daughter's death, rejecting plans for an autopsy and requesting the immediate release of her body for burial.
In an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, Tanko stated that while he appreciated efforts to determine the cause of his daughter's death, his family would not consent to any post-mortem examination.
The deponent identified himself as a native of Sabon Gari Noh in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State and described the deceased as his daughter, who died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to the affidavit, the late Mary Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the office of the Minister of Works for about three years before her death.
He further stated that his daughter worked as the Personal Nurse to the Minister of Works and resided with the Minister's immediate staff at the Minister's Guest House in Abuja and the Minister's Staff Quarters in Ebonyi State.
Tanko disclosed that following her death, the Minister of Works requested that an autopsy be conducted to establish the cause of death. However, he said the family had resolved not to permit any examination of the deceased's body.
"While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter's death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter's body," the affidavit stated.
He added that it was the family's wish "to leave her body and organs intact," urging authorities to respect their decision despite ongoing medical and investigative procedures.
The affidavit further requested that the investigation be discontinued and that the deceased's body be released to the family 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," he stated.
Tanko also declared that neither he nor members of his family suspected any foul play in his daughter's death and indicated that he would not honour any further invitation from the police or the court in connection with the matter.
The affidavit is expected to form part of the legal proceedings relating to the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila's death, as authorities consider the family's position alongside applicable legal and investigative procedures.
