The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has asked an Ebonyi State High Court to discontinue the police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and release her body for burial.
The family also declined to grant permission for an autopsy to be carried out on her remains.
The request was contained in an affidavit dated July 13 and filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State by her father, Mr. Tanko Habila.
According to the affidavit, the family does not suspect any foul play in the death of their daughter and therefore sees no reason for further medical examination of her body.
“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy,” the affidavit stated.
Mary Habila was employed at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before she was deployed on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.
During the secondment, she reportedly served as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and members of his immediate team for approximately three years.
She died on June 27, 2026, after accompanying the minister to his hometown in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Following the incident, Umahi requested that the Nigeria Police Force conduct an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.
However, the deceased’s family rejected the proposal and insisted that no post-mortem examination should be carried out.
The family further appealed to medical personnel and investigators not to tamper with Habila’s body or remove any organs during the investigation.
Her father also asked the authorities to discontinue the investigation and immediately release her remains to enable the family proceed with burial arrangements.
“I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” the affidavit stated.
Tanko Habila further declared that neither he nor any member of the family would honour future invitations from the police or the court regarding the matter because they do not believe any crime was committed.
He maintained that the decision was reached voluntarily and was not influenced by any person or external pressure.
“While reiterating our request for the Nigerian 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,” he said.
Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted that investigations into the case will continue.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that officers received a distress call on the day of Habila’s death reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu.
According to the police, the nurse had already died before arriving at the hospital, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed investigation.
Investigators also revealed that Habila and another medical worker identified as Anita Baaki were both members of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before the incident occurred.
“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the command said.
The police added that detectives have already visited the scene, obtained witness statements and were making arrangements for a qualified pathologist to conduct the autopsy.
According to the command, it is awaiting the attendance of the family or their representative, describing their presence as necessary for the process.
The police assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, adding that updates would be provided as new developments emerge.
