Mystery Deepens: Family Petitions IGP, Demands Body of Mary Habila Found Dead in Minister's House

The mysterious death of Miss Mary Habila on June 27, 2026, at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, has ignited a complex dispute involving her family, government officials, and human rights activists. At the heart of the controversy is the family's fervent plea for the immediate release of her remains for burial, while simultaneously opposing any autopsy, a stance that clashes with calls for a thorough investigation.

Mr. Tanko Habila, Mary's father, accompanied by his wife and legal representatives, submitted a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Speaking to journalists, Mr. Habila emotionally appealed for his daughter's body, emphasizing the family's desire for a respectful burial nearly two weeks after her demise. He firmly stated, “All we want is her body to be buried. We don’t want that autopsy that they are talking about, and I am not suspecting anybody because death can occur.” He reiterated that the family had no suspicion of foul play and cautioned against politicizing the incident, appealing to the police to respect their desire to lay her to rest peacefully.

The family's lawyer, Kaile Adamu Yusuf, elaborated on their opposition to an autopsy, citing cultural and religious considerations. Yusuf also corrected misrepresentations regarding Mary’s profession, clarifying that she was a nurse employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, and had been seconded to the minister’s office for approximately three years. He expressed regret that despite following all police procedures in Ebonyi State, the family had not yet received her remains. Yusuf further alleged attempts to exploit Mary’s death for political purposes, stressing the family’s determination to prevent her from becoming a subject of political controversy.

Conversely, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, through his lawyers, has formally requested that an autopsy be conducted before the release of Mary Habila's remains. Their request, titled ‘Request For The Conduct Of An Autopsy On The Late Miss Mary Habila Before The Release Of Her Remains,’ urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a comprehensive autopsy by qualified forensic pathologists. Umahi’s legal team argued this was crucial for justice, transparency, and the proper administration of criminal justice, asserting that the process would help preserve the investigation’s integrity, eliminate speculation, and determine the circumstances of her death before burial, noting that the remains should not be released until necessary investigative procedures had been concluded.

Senator Umahi himself broke his silence on the incident, describing Mary as "like a daughter" and vehemently rejecting suggestions of wrongdoing. He attributed attempts to link him to the incident as "politics taken too far," stating that Mary had worked closely with him for years and had a history of medical challenges for which he personally provided support. He also disclosed that Mary had complained of nose bleeding during a phone conversation with her boyfriend shortly before her death, maintaining there was no evidence of foul play. Umahi also clarified that Mary was a nurse employed by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, and not a physiotherapist as earlier reported.

The incident has drawn significant attention and commentary from various public figures. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized both the federal government and the Nigeria Police Force for what he perceived as a failure to properly investigate Mary Habila’s death, as well as that of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola. Posting on X, Atiku argued that Nigerian law mandates criminal investigations and coroner’s inquests for sudden, suspicious, or unnatural deaths, regardless of the deceased's family's wishes. He emphasized the authorities' responsibility to secure crime scenes, preserve forensic evidence, and question relevant persons, asserting that familial consent is not a prerequisite for such investigations since homicide is a state offense. Atiku also raised concerns about the absence of autopsies in both cases, questioning how the cause of death or any foul play could be established without post-mortem examinations.

Responding to Atiku’s statements, Chief Emmanuel Igwe, a legislative aide to the Deputy Senate President, condemned the former Vice President’s call for Umahi’s suspension, labeling it "premature, politically motivated, and inconsistent with the principles of justice, fairness, and due process." Igwe warned against the politicization of the 26-year-old nurse’s death, asserting that investigations must precede judgments and evidence must precede accusations. He urged all stakeholders to refrain from prejudicial statements while investigations are ongoing, describing Atiku's statement as putting the “cart before the horse”.

Adding another voice to the call for thorough inquiry, human rights activist Agena R. Ande demanded a full criminal investigation, an independent autopsy, and a coroner's inquest. In a statement titled "A Press Conference of Excuses Is an Insult to the Dead – Justice Must Not Be Buried With the Body," Ande criticized the "press conference of excuses" offered so far, arguing that it insulted the deceased and highlighted concerns about preferential treatment for influential public officials. He cited constitutional duties and international human rights instruments, insisting that no burial should occur until essential forensic procedures are completed. Ande explicitly called for a homicide investigation under independent oversight, an independent autopsy by multiple pathologists, forensic examination of the scene, preservation of evidence, retrieval of digital evidence, formal questioning of all present, and a coroner's inquest, warning that any rushed burial would constitute obstruction of justice and a state-assisted cover-up. He also urged international organizations to monitor the case, emphasizing that the way Nigeria handles this death will reflect its worth to the world.

Mary's colleague, Anita Baaki, also spoke out, describing Mary's death as a "devastating loss." Baaki, identifying herself as a physiotherapist, reiterated that Mary was a nurse and clarified that both had worked under the Minister of Works for years, living in the same staff quarters. She dismissed claims that they were recently brought from northern Nigeria to work for the minister, confirming their long-standing employment and stating that the reports were "simply not true."