The family of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila has asked an Ebonyi State High Court to halt the police investigation into her death and rejected plans to carry out an autopsy on her body.
In an affidavit dated July 13, her father, Tanko Habila, said the family does not suspect foul play and wants her body released for burial.
“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 worked 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 Minister of Works, David Umahi, and his immediate staff for about three years.
She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after travelling to the minister’s hometown with him.
Although Umahi had directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of her death, the family declined to give consent and requested that her body and organs remain untouched.
Her father also asked that the investigation be discontinued and that her remains be released to the family for 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,” he said.
He further stated that the family would not honour any future police or court invitations regarding the case, insisting they did not believe her death involved any criminal act.
“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 added.
Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command said the investigation would continue.
Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu said officers received a distress call on the day of Habila’s death reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Uburu.
According to him, Habila was confirmed dead before arriving at the hospital, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Police also said preliminary findings showed that Habila and another member of the minister’s medical team, Anita Baaki, had travelled with Umahi to Uburu before the incident.
