Police: Family of physiotherapist who died in Umahi’s house against autopsy

The Ebonyi State Police Command says the family of Mary Habila, the physiotherapist who was found dead at the Ebonyi State residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed opposition to an autopsy on her body. The command said it has concluded arrangements to engage the services of a pathologist to carry out […]

The Ebonyi State Police Command says the family of Mary Habila, the physiotherapist who was found dead at the Ebonyi State residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed opposition to an autopsy on her body.

The command said it has concluded arrangements to engage the services of a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination, describing the exercise as crucial to its ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to Ukandu, the command considers the autopsy essential because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of death.

He explained that 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, over what was reported as a medical emergency.

Ukandu said that upon arriving at the hospital, the DPO was informed by medical authorities that Habila had been brought in dead.

He further stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and one of her colleagues were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu before the incident occurred.

According to the police spokesman, Habila died in a room within the compound of the minister’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Providing an update on the investigation, Ukandu said detectives have already visited the scene of the incident and obtained statements from persons considered relevant to the inquiry.

He said: “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.”

He added: “The Command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.”

On the planned post-mortem examination, Ukandu said: “The Command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.”

He, however, disclosed that the family had declined to approve the procedure.

According to him, “The family of the deceased has, however, claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter.”

Despite the family’s position, the police maintained that the examination remains necessary.

Ukandu said: “The Command nonetheless considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.”

He added that the command was awaiting the presence of the deceased’s family or their authorised representative before proceeding with the examination.

“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,” he said.

The development comes amid public interest in the case, with Umahi previously dismissing claims that the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death were shrouded in secrecy.

Meanwhile July 17, 2026, has been fixed as the burial date for deceased.

In a funeral announcement issued by the family, it was stated that Habila was born on September 18, 2000, and died on June 27, 2026, at the age of 26.

According to the announcement, her funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on July 17, 2026, at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.