Police Insist on Autopsy for Mary Habila's Death
The Ebonyi State Police Command has announced it will proceed with an autopsy on the body of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the Uburu home of Minister of Works Dave Umahi, even after her family declined to consent to the procedure.
Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu, a superintendent of police, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, July 16, saying the autopsy was necessary to determine the true cause of Ms Habila's death.
Pathologist to Be Commissioned
Mr Ukandu acknowledged the family's objection but maintained that the examination remained essential to the investigation, stating that the command was set to engage the services of a qualified pathologist to carry out the procedure, Premium Times reported.
Details of the Incident
Ms Habila, who was assigned to Mr Umahi in a professional capacity, was brought dead to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27. The police have not stated publicly whether they are treating the death as suspicious, but the insistence on conducting an autopsy over the family's objections signals that investigators consider a formal medical examination indispensable before any conclusions can be drawn.
According to the police statement, the autopsy would proceed despite the family's objection, citing the need to establish the actual cause of death. Habila was brought dead to David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital on June 27, where she had been attached to the minister.
Background and Investigation
Legit.ng had earlier reported on the circumstances surrounding her death, raising questions about what transpired at the minister's residence before she was conveyed to the hospital. The police have not released further details about the investigation, but the decision to conduct an autopsy indicates that the authorities are taking the case seriously.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has assured the public that the autopsy will be carried out by a qualified pathologist and that the results will be made public in due course. The family's objection to the procedure has been noted, but the police maintain that the autopsy is necessary for a thorough investigation.
