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As the controversy over the death of Miss Mary Habila continues, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has formally requested the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State to commence a comprehensive forensic autopsy on the remains of Habila, who was one of his workers.
Umahi said the autopsy would scientifically determine the cause and circumstances of her death.
Meanwhile, the late Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, and was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja.
She died on 27 June 2026 in a building located within Umahi’s residence at Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Since then, the death has attracted widespread public attention, prompting Umahi to write a letter dated 15 July 2026 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, Abakaliki, through his lawyer, Roy O. Umahi Nwaze, SAN, of Roy & Associates, clarifying that the deceased was not living in the same building as him.
“Our client informed us that Miss Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, died on 27th June 2026 in a building situated within our client’s residence at Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
“Notably, the deceased did not reside in the same building as our client. Rather, the building is exclusively designated for members of our client’s staff and other persons working with him.
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“On the night of her death, the deceased and another lady, a physiotherapist, were the only occupants of the building,” the letter stated.
Citing the need for a thorough investigation, Umahi urged the police to order a forensic examination of the body before it is released for burial.
“In view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased, and in the interest of justice, transparency, and the due administration of criminal justice, our client respectfully requests that the Nigeria Police Force cause a comprehensive autopsy to be conducted on the remains of the deceased by qualified forensic pathologists for scientifically and independently ascertaining the actual cause and circumstances of her death,” the letter read.
The minister also requested that the remains should not be released to anyone, including the deceased’s next of kin, Mr Tanko Habila Wisdom of Sabon Gari, Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, until the autopsy and all related investigative procedures have been concluded.
“Our Client further requests that the remains of the deceased should not be released to any person, including her next of kin, Mr Tanko Habila Wisdom of Sabon Gari, Nok, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, until the autopsy has been duly conducted and all necessary investigative procedures relating thereto have been concluded.
“This request is made to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively determined before the remains are interred,” the solicitors explained.
