Mary Habila’s Family Rejects Autopsy, Asks Police to End Probe and Release Body

The family of Miss Mary Habila, the 26-year-old physiotherapist attached to the Office of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stated that it does not want an autopsy conducted on her body.

In a statement and an affidavit attributed to her father, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, the family maintained that a post-mortem examination was unnecessary and appealed for her body to be released for burial.
The family’s position differs from that of the Ebonyi State Police Command, which has maintained that an autopsy is necessary to establish the actual cause of Habila’s de@th.
According to the police, the post-mortem examination is important because of the circumstances surrounding the de@th and forms part of the ongoing investigation.
In the affidavit, Mr. Wisdom stated that neither he nor his family would consent to an autopsy on their daughter’s body.
He said:”It is my family’s wish and humble appeal, notwithstanding medical and investigative protocols, that her body and organs be left intact. Hence, this affidavit.”
He further stated that the family did not wish to pursue the investigation any further and requested that Habila’s body be released for burial.
According to the affidavit, he also declared that he would not honour any subsequent invitation from the police or the courts in relation to the matter because the family did not suspect any foul play.
In the affidavit, which has circulated widely on social media, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, who identified himself as Mary’s father, deposed as follows:
“That I am the deponent to this affidavit and, by virtue of that position, I am conversant with the facts herein deposed to.
“That the late Mary Habila was my daughter.
“That the said Mary Habila di@d on the 27th day of June, 2026, at Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“That before her de@th, she was a staff member of David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works for about three years before her de@th.
“That I am aware that my late daughter served as a personal nurse to the Honourable Minister of Works and resided at the Minister’s Guest House in Abuja and the Minister’s Staff Quarters in Ebonyi State.
“That following her de@th, the Honourable Minister of Works requested that an autopsy be conducted to ascertain the cause of her de@th.
“That while I appreciate the steps being taken to determine the cause of my daughter’s de@th, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on her body.
“That it is my family’s wish and humble appeal, notwithstanding medical and investigative protocols, that her body and organs be left intact.
“That it is my family’s wish not to proceed further with the investigation and that my daughter’s body be released to me for burial.
“That I will not honour any subsequent invitation by the police or the court in respect of this matter because my family does not suspect any foul play.”
The latest development comes as Habila’s family announced that she would be buried on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nok, in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
However, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has maintained that an autopsy should be conducted to establish the cause of de@th.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said that although the deceased’s family had expressed opposition to an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case.
“The Command considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of de@th,” Ukandu said.
He added that the police were awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their authorised representative before the post-mortem examination could be carried out.
According to the police, the command received a distress report on June 27 from the Divisional Police Officer in Ohaozara regarding a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
Ukandu said Habila was confirmed de@d on arrival at the hospital, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
Preliminary findings, according to the police, indicate that Habila and another medical professional were members of the medical team attached to Senator Umahi and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu. She reportedly di@d in a room within the compound of the minister’s residence.
The police said detectives had visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant witnesses, and commenced what they described as a thorough investigation.
“The Command assures the public of a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the matter,” Ukandu added.
Habila, popularly known as Mara, reportedly worked with the Federal Ministry of Works after being seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences.
Her de@th at the minister’s country home has attracted widespread public attention, with differing accounts and social media discussions prompting calls for a transparent investigation.
The controversy intensified following social media claims that her body was allegedly found unclothed when it was removed from the residence. However, the Ebonyi State Police Command has not confirmed those claims, and the circumstances surrounding her de@th remain under investigation.
As of the latest official update, the Ebonyi State Police Command said investigations were ongoing and that no official conclusion had been reached regarding the cause of de@th or whether any criminal liability was involved.