By Suleiman Anyalewechi
“The deceased and his colleagues accompanied the Minister to his country home on June 26, 2026” – Police
The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, informed that the family of deceased physiotherapist Mary Habila has expressed their opposition to the idea of conducting an autopsy on their daughter.
Hibila’s death at the Staff Quarters located within the Uburu, Ebonyi State Country home of the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has since provoked widespread indignation and speculations. Not a few Nigerians and Associations are calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident , including the conduct of an autopsy.
Senator Umahi, based on the increasing level of public outrage ,and insinuations suggesting foul play, had, in a letter through his legal team, dated July15 ,2026, asked the Ebonyi State Police Command to withhold the release of the Habila’s body until the conduct of a post-mortem.
But in statement from Joshua Ukandu, its spokesperson, the Police Command said Habila’s Family is against an autopsy. However, he said, the Police has concluded arrangements for an autopsy to be carried out, insisting that such a move remains a crucial part of its ongoing wider investigation into the unfortunate incident.
The Police statement emphasized that going by the sensitive nature of the case ,as well as mounting public interest ,an autopsy has become necessary to conclusively ascertain the cause(s) of death.
Giving an insight into the situation, Ukandu noted that the Police had visited the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital ,Uburu after receiving a distress call on June 27 ,2027 through the Divisional Police Officer DPO of Ohaozara ,and were informed by the hospital authorities that Habila was brought in already dead.
According to the Police, Habila and her colleague were members of a medical team attached to Umahi, as the Minister of Works, noting that they had accompanied him to his hometown of Uburu before the unfortunate incident.
The police informed that the deceased died in a room, within the larger compound of Umahi’s residence located in Umunaga, Uburu, in Ohaozara local council of the state.
Ukandu further stated that operatives, in the course of the ongoing investigation into the matter, have visited the scene of the incident ,and have interrogated all persons considered vital to the inquest.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased and a colleague formed part of the medical team attached to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu where she died in a room within the compound of his residence.
“The Command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.
“The Command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.
“The family of the deceased have, however, claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter.
“The Command nonetheless considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case, and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.
“The Command, therefore, awaits the attendance of the family, or their representatives, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination”, the Police stated.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
