By Tolulope Oke

The family of Mary Habila, who died under unexplained circumstances at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked the police to terminate their investigation and release her body for burial.

In an affidavit seen by P.M. NEWS, the deceased’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, rejected the planned autopsy and declared that the family did not suspect foul play in her death.

The document, titled “Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case,” was filed before the High  Court of Justice of Ebonyi State.

Habila died on June 27, 2026, after reportedly accompanying the minister’s medical team to Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Before her death, she worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja.

According to her father’s affidavit, Habila worked in the minister’s office for about three years and served as a personal nurse to Umahi and members of his immediate staff.

The document disclosed that Umahi requested an autopsy to determine the cause of her death, but the family refused to grant consent.

“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.

The family appealed to medical and investigative authorities to leave Habila’s body and organs intact and discontinue all further inquiries into the case.

“I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” her father said.

He added that the family would not honour further invitations from the police or courts concerning the death.

The affidavit maintained that the decision was made voluntarily, without pressure, inducement or interference from any individual.

Despite the affidavit, the Ebonyi State Police Command said it would continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death and proceed with arrangements for a post-mortem examination.

Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu said the command received a distress call on June 27 concerning a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu.

According to Ukandu, officers who arrived at the hospital were informed that Habila had been brought in dead.

The Commissioner of Police subsequently transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.

Preliminary police findings indicated that Habila and another medical worker were attached to Umahi’s team and had accompanied the minister to his hometown.

Investigators said Habila died inside a room within the compound of the minister’s residence.

Detectives have since visited the scene and obtained statements from individuals considered relevant to the investigation.

The command said it was also making arrangements to engage a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination and determine the cause of death.

While acknowledging the family’s objection, the police maintained that an autopsy remained necessary because of the sensitive circumstances surrounding the case.

The command said it was awaiting the presence of Habila’s family or a duly appointed representative before proceeding with the examination.

Source: PM News