Minister Under Fire: Mary Habila's Mysterious Death Sparks Autopsy Battle And Calls For Probe
The death of Mary Habila at Minister David Umahi's Ebonyi residence on June 27, 2026, has sparked national outrage and calls for an independent probe. While Minister Umahi denies foul play and insists on an autopsy, Habila's family has rejected the procedure. Police and various organizations maintain that an autopsy is crucial to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her demise.
The mysterious death of 26-year-old Mary Habila at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on June 27, 2026, has ignited a nationwide controversy, prompting widespread calls for a transparent and independent investigation. Habila, initially identified by some as a physiotherapist but later clarified by Umahi and the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) as a nurse, was found dead under unclear circumstances, leading to significant public apprehension and demands for accountability.
Various organizations and political figures have vehemently called for immediate action. The Allied People’s Movement (APM), Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), and the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria) urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend Minister Umahi pending the outcome of investigations. They argued that Umahi's continued stay in office undermines public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and the rule of law. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also joined these calls, demanding that President Tinubu direct Umahi to step aside, transfer the investigation to the Force Headquarters with independent forensic experts, conduct a full and internationally credible autopsy, and ensure protection for Habila’s family from intimidation.
Conflicting accounts and allegations have fueled public concern. Reports emerged detailing Habila's arrival at the residence on June 26, 2026, and her subsequent discovery dead the following morning. The Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) revealed that Habila was found naked, lifeless on the floor with blood stains around her nose and mouth, and no evidence suggested she had been ill prior to her sudden death. These observations led the DPP to conclude that a post-mortem examination was necessary to establish the cause of death. Furthermore, media reports alleged that her family was pressured to bury her without an autopsy, and a viral video surfaced, in which another woman accused unnamed individuals of sexual harassment at the same residence, further emphasizing the need for thorough inquiry.
Minister Umahi, on his part, has strongly denied any involvement or foul play in Habila's death, describing attempts to link him to the incident as