…asks court to stop police probe, demands release of daughter’s remains for burial
Father of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked an Ebonyi State court to stop police probe into her death. He also kicked against any autopsy on her body.
The late physiotherapist’s father, Tanko Habila, made these requests in an affidavit dated 13th of July and filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, saying the family did not suspect foul play in his daughter’s death.
“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy,” Tanko Habila’s affidavit stated.
Mary Habila was working at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before she was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as a personal nurse to Umahi and his immediate staff for about three years.
She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyin State, after travelling with the minister to his hometown.
The Minister, Umahi had asked that an autopsy be carried out to determine the cause of the physiotherapist’s death, but the Habila family declined, saying they would not consent to the procedure.
The Habila family also asked medical and investigative authorities to leave the late physiotherapist’s body and organs untouched.
Tanko Habila, her father, requested the discontinuation of investigation into Mary’s death, asking that his daughter’s corpse be handed over to him to enable the family to proceed with her burial.
“I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” his affidavit stated.
The late physiotherapist’s father added that the family would not honour any further police or court invitation on the matter, insisting they did not suspect foul play.
He said the decision was voluntary, made without pressure or inducement from anyone, and asked that her body be released without further delay.
“While reiterating our request for the Nigeria Police to release my daughter’s corpse for burial, I wish to state that I was never induced, coerced or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions, as everything deposed here reflects the sincere wishes of my family and I,” Tanko Habila said.
However, inspite of the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command said the investigation would continue.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said detectives received a distress call on the day Habila died, reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu.
According to Ukandu, the physiotherapist had already died before she got to the hospital, prompting the state Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a fuller inquiry.
The PPRO added that preliminary findings showed Habila and a colleague, identified as Anita Baaki, were both part of Umahi’s medical team and had accompanied him to Uburu before her death.
“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the police said.
Police detectives have already visited the scene and taken statements. The police command said it was arranging for a pathologist to conduct the post-mortem.
The police added that it was waiting for the family or their representative to attend, describing their presence as essential to the process.
The Force promised a transparent and impartial investigation with further updates as the case develops.
