There is currently a stalemate as controversies continue over the death of Miss Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist attached to the office of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
Habila, popularly known as Mara, reportedly worked with the Federal Ministry of Works after being seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences.
NewsBits reports that Nigerians have been demanding a thorough investigation to unravel the real cause of her death. However, while the Ebonyi State Police Command is insisting that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to establish the actual cause of her death, the family is said to have objected.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that the deceased’s family had expressed opposition to an autopsy.
“The Command considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” Ukandu said.
He explained that the police were awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their authorised representative before the post-mortem examination could be carried out. Similarly, Umahi, through his team of lawyers, has also petitioned the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, urging that an autopsy on the late Mary be conducted before her remains are released for burial.
In a letter dated July 15, 2026, and acknowledged by the Ebonyi State Police Command on the same day, the law firm, Roy & Associates, said it was acting on the instruction of the minister.
According to the petition, Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on June 27, 2026, in a staff residential building located within Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The lawyers explained that the deceased did not reside in the same building as the minister. They said the building was designated for members of Umahi’s staff and other personnel working with him.
They further stated that on the night of her death, only Habila and another female occupant, identified as a physiotherapist, were in the building. The legal team urged the police to ensure that a comprehensive autopsy is conducted by qualified forensic pathologists to scientifically determine the actual cause and circumstances of Habila’s death.
They also requested that Habila’s remains should not be released to anyone, including her next of kin, until the autopsy and all other relevant investigative procedures have been completed. According to the lawyers, the request is aimed at preserving the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminating speculation, and ensuring that the true cause of Habila’s death is conclusively established before her burial.
As of the time of this report, it is unclear whether the police will go ahead and release Mary’s body for burial on July 17. But members of the public are insistent that the law should override the family’s wish.
