The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has formally requested the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct an autopsy on Mary Habila, the nurse who died at his residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on June 27, 2026. The request was made in a letter dated July 15, 2026, sent to the state Commissioner of Police by Umahi's counsel, Roy Nwaeze.
Autopsy and Body Retention Requested
Umahi also asked the police not to release Habila's body to her family until the post-mortem examination is completed, stating that the process is necessary to establish the actual cause and circumstances of her death. Habila, an employee of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital and a member of his medical team, was found dead on June 27.
According to the letter, "Our Client informed us that Miss Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, died on 27th June 2026 in a building situated within our Client's residence at Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State. Notably, the deceased did not reside in the same building as our Client. Rather, the building is exclusively designated for members of our Client's staff and other persons working with him. On the night of her death, the deceased and another lady, a physiotherapist, were the only occupants of the building."
Interest of Justice and Transparency
The lawyer said the request for an autopsy, as well as the temporary retention of the body, was made in the interest of justice and to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation. According to him, the measures would also help eliminate speculation surrounding the incident and ensure that any conclusions reached are based on scientific evidence.
"In view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased, and in the interest of justice, transparency, and the due administration of criminal justice, 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 reads.
