David Umahi, minister of works, following pressure from Nigerians on Thursday formally requested the Ebonyi police command to conduct an autopsy on Mary Habila, the nurse who died at his residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi state.
Umahi also asked the police not to release Habila’s body to her family until the post-mortem examination is completed, saying the process is necessary to establish the actual cause and circumstances of her death.
Umahi’s capitulation followed the outrage from Nigerians over an affidavit purportedly sworn by the deceased father at a high court in Ebonyi state kicking against autopsy on the late nurse.
The request was conveyed in a letter dated July 15 and signed by Roy Nwaeze, the minister’s counsel, to the commissioner of police in Ebonyi state.
Habila, an employee of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, died on June 27 while attached personally to the minister.
Her death has generated widespread public interest, with calls from several quarters for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On Thursday, the Ebonyi police command said it would proceed with an autopsy despite opposition from members of the deceased’s family.
Nwaeze said Habila did not live in the same building as the minister but occupied a separate staff quarters within the premises reserved for employees and other personnel working with him.
He added that on the night of her death, Habila and a physiotherapist were the only occupants of the building.
“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,” the letter reads.
“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.
“On the night of her death, the deceased and another lady, a physiotherapist, were the only occupants of the building.”
The lawyer said the request for an autopsy, as well as the temporary retention of the body, was made in the interest of justice and to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
According to him, the measures would also help eliminate speculation surrounding the incident and ensure that any conclusions reached are based on scientific evidence.
“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 the purpose of scientifically and independently ascertaining the actual cause and circumstances of her death,” the letter reads.
Family of nurse who died in Umahi’s house doesn’t want autopsy: Police
Earlier on Thursday, Ebonyi stste police command had said that the family of Mary Habila, did not want an autopsy conducted.
In a statement, Joshua Ukandu, Ebonyi police spokesperson, said the command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination on the deceased’s body.
Ukandu said the command believes that due to the sensitivity of the matter, the procedure is imperative to establish the true cause of Habila’s death.
The Ebonyi police spokesperson said the divisional police officer (DPO) of Ohaozara division received a distress call on June 27, 2026, requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu for a medical emergency.
Ukandu said when the DPO arrived at the hospital, he was informed by authorities that the deceased was brought in dead on the day.
“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 statement reads.
“The Command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.
“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 duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination.”
Habila died in Umahi’s house in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi state.