Investigation vs. Family Wishes: The Tragic Death of Nurse Mary Habila in Dave Umahi’s Country Home

A deeply emotional and legally complex battle is unfolding in Ebonyi State over the tragic demise of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old nurse who died suddenly in late June 2026.

While the general public and student union bodies like NANS are demanding a thorough, transparent probe, Mary’s family has taken a dramatic, unexpected step. Her father, Tanko Habila, has officially filed an affidavit before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, requesting an immediate halt to the police investigation and strictly forbidding any medical autopsy on her body.

The development has set up a direct standoff between a grieving family wanting closure and the Nigerian police, who insist that the sensitive circumstances of her death make a full investigation a legal necessity.

The Tragic Timeline: What We Know

Mary Habila was a highly respected medical professional. She worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before being seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja. For approximately three years, she served as the personal nurse to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and his immediate household staff.

On June 27, 2026, Mary traveled with the minister to his hometown of Uburu, located in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. She died later that day under circumstances that remain publicly unverified.




The Ebonyi State Police Command received a distress call reporting a severe medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu. However, police reports confirm that Mary was already dead before she arrived at the hospital gates.

Why the Family is Resisting the Autopsy

In a sworn affidavit dated July 13, 2026, Mary’s father made the family’s wishes clear: they want to bury their daughter in peace, and they do not suspect any foul play.

The family has asked medical and investigative authorities to leave Mary’s body and internal organs untouched, stating they will not honor any further invitations from the police or courts.

“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy… I wish to state that I was never induced, coerced, or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions.” — Tanko Habila, Father of the Deceased

Interestingly, Minister David Umahi himself had publicly requested a full medical autopsy to establish the exact cause of her death. However, the family has firmly refused to consent to the procedure, asking that her remains be released to them for burial without further delay.

Why the Police Say the Investigation Must Continue

Despite the family’s formal court filing, the Ebonyi State Police Command has made it clear that they cannot simply close the case file.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, revealed that because the tragedy occurred under sensitive circumstances, the Commissioner of Police has officially handed the file over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive inquiry.

The police maintain that:

• The Law Overrides Consent: Establishing a scientific cause of death is a legal prerequisite for closing a sudden-death file, especially when it involves prominent public figures or properties.
• Scene Examination: Detectives have already visited the scene in Uburu and taken formal statements from key witnesses, including Anita Baaki, another nurse on the minister’s medical team who accompanied Mary on the trip.
• Pathologist Waiting: The command is still arranging for a state-certified pathologist to conduct a post-mortem, and they have urged the family to send a representative to witness the procedure for the sake of transparency.

For now, Mary Habila’s body remains held as the court determines whether a family’s right to cultural and emotional closure overrides the state’s obligation to run a complete criminal inquiry.