Tanko Habila Wisdom, the father of the late Miss Mary Habila, has formally rejected the police's plan to conduct an autopsy on his daughter's remains and has withdrawn from further participation in the investigation into her death. The decision was communicated through an affidavit of withdrawal filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State.
In the affidavit, Mr. Habila, a resident of Sabon Gari Noh, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, stated that the family wishes for the body to be released for burial without any additional medical procedures. The deceased, Miss Mary Habila, was a staff member of David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Family's stance on autopsy and investigation
According to the affidavit, the father revealed that his daughter had worked in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years before her death. “That I am aware that my late daughter served as a Personal Nurse to the Honourable Minister of Works and the Minister's immediate staff, with whom she resided at the Minister's Guest House in Abuja and at the Minister's Staff Quarters in Ebonyi State,” he stated.
Mr. Habila acknowledged that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had requested an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, but the family opposed it. “That 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. That it is my family's wish and humble appeal, despite medical and investigative protocols, to leave her body and organs intact, hence this affidavit,” the affidavit read.
Withdrawal from investigation and request for body release
The father further informed the court that he does not wish to continue with the investigation and requested the immediate release of his daughter's body. “That I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter's body released to me for burial. That I will not honour subsequent invitations by the Police or the Court in respect of this case as my family does not suspect any foul play,” he said.
Miss Habila died at the Minister of Works' residence in Uburu, where she served as part of the minister's immediate staff. The Ebonyi State Police Command had earlier announced that it would engage a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination, emphasizing that it was necessary to establish the true cause of death. The court has not yet ruled on the application for the release of the body.
