Anita Baaki, the young lady who was at the home of David Umahi with Mary Habila before she died there, has narrated the events leading to Habila's death in a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday.
Background of the incident
Sahara Reporters had earlier reported that 26-year-old Mary Habila, from Kaduna, was found dead and naked under unusual circumstances in the home of Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Ebonyi State. The reports revealed that she was last seen alive on June 26 before her body was discovered on June 27, but the news was only made public after the publication published the story.
Nigerians began asking questions about why two young women were brought from different states to Umahi's home. Umahi's team claimed in a statement that Mary Habila and Anita Baaki are physiotherapists sent to his house.
Baaki's account
Speaking now for the first time, Anita Baaki, said to be a physiotherapist and colleague of Mary Habila, shared her account. Habila was said to be a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works.
According to Baaki, a Benue citizen, she travelled with Habila and other ministry officials from Abuja to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, for an official assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi. Baaki disclosed that they were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet within the minister's country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
She maintained that the chalet was designated for ministry staff and associates and was not the minister's personal residence. She stressed that she last saw Habila alive on the evening of June 26 after Habila returned from having her hair done.
Final moments
According to Baaki, Habila stopped by her room to show off her new hairstyle before they chatted and joked for a while. "Habila told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive," Baaki stated in the affidavit.
The physiotherapist said she became terrified the following morning when Habila did not come out of her room as expected, emphasizing that repeated calls to Habila's phone went unanswered, prompting her to knock on the door. She revealed that when there was no response and the room remained locked from the inside, she alerted a domestic staff member to search the premises. After Habila could not be found elsewhere, other staff members were informed and the room was forced open.
Discovery of the body
The Benue-born physiotherapist reiterated that Habila was found lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room. She added that Habila was immediately taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was dead on arrival.
Baaki claimed that her statement was made voluntarily and without coercion to assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding Habila's death. Police investigations are ongoing.
