Mary Habila: Family Rejects Autopsy, Asks Police To Release Body For Burial

Habila’s father, Tanko Habila, made the request in an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, stating that the family did not suspect foul play in his daughter’s death.

According to Arise TV, Habila’s father said the family appreciated efforts to determine the cause of death but would not consent to a post-mortem examination.

“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.

The deceased, who worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before her secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, served as a personal nurse to the minister and his immediate staff for about three years.

She died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after accompanying the minister on a trip to his hometown.

Following her death, Umahi requested an autopsy to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, the family opposed the procedure, asking that her body and organs remain untouched.

Habila’s father also requested that the investigation be discontinued and that the remains of his daughter 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,” the affidavit stated.

He added that the family would not honour further invitations from the police or the court, maintaining that they had no suspicion of foul play.

“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 said.

However, the Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted that the investigation into Habila’s death will continue despite the family’s decision.

The command’s spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said detectives received a distress call on the day of the incident concerning a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

He explained that Habila was confirmed dead before arrival at the hospital, prompting the state Commissioner of Police to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Police findings revealed that Habila and another nurse, identified as Anita Baaki, were members of the minister’s medical team and had travelled with him to Uburu before the incident.

“The examination remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” the command said.

The police said investigators had visited the scene of the incident and obtained statements from relevant persons, adding that arrangements were being made for a pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination.

The command said it was awaiting the presence of the family or their representative during the process, describing their participation as important to the investigation.

It assured Nigerians that the inquiry would be conducted transparently and impartially, promising to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.