Mary Habila's Family Rejects Autopsy as Police Continue Investigation Into Death

The family of the late Mary Habila has formally opposed an autopsy and requested the termination of further police investigation into her death, while the Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted that its investigation will continue.

Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences who was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

In an affidavit titled Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family did not suspect foul play and wanted her body released for burial.

According to the affidavit, Habila had worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before her deployment to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years.

The affidavit stated that she served as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works and members of his immediate staff.

The family said the Minister of Works requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death but declined to give consent for the procedure.

"While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter's death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter's body," the affidavit stated.

The family also appealed to medical and investigative authorities to release the body without conducting further investigations.

"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 added.

The document further stated that the family would not honour future invitations from the police or the courts in connection with the matter, maintaining that it did not suspect foul play.

The deponent also stated that the decision was made voluntarily and without any form of inducement or coercion.

"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."

However, the Ebonyi State Police Command said it would continue its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila's death despite the family's objection to an autopsy.

In a statement issued on July 15, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the command received a distress call on June 27 from the Divisional Police Officer in Ohaozara regarding a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

According to the police, the deceased was brought to the hospital dead, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation.

The command said preliminary findings indicated that Habila and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the 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.

Police said detectives had visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons and were making arrangements to engage a pathologist to conduct a post mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

While acknowledging the family's refusal to consent to an autopsy, the command said the examination remained necessary "given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death."

The police added that they were awaiting the attendance of the family or their authorised representative for the post mortem examination and assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial. The command said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.