Fresh controversy has emerged over the death of Mary Habila at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, after police investigators reportedly disputed key aspects of the minister’s public account and insisted that an autopsy be conducted before her body is released for burial.
According to police sources cited in the report, investigators do not believe Habila and another woman were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences as earlier claimed by the minister. The sources also alleged that lawyers representing Umahi sought the release of Habila’s body for burial in Ebonyi State, but investigators declined the request, maintaining that the death remains under active investigation and that all necessary forensic procedures, including an autopsy, must first be be completed.
The report further alleged that investigators received information suggesting members of Habila’s family were being pressured not to insist on an autopsy. Police sources maintained that the circumstances surrounding the death require a thorough forensic examination before any conclusions can be reached.
The case has attracted widespread public attention since reports emerged that Habila died under unclear circumstances inside Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State. Earlier, the minister acknowledged that Habila died at his residence, describing her as a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works. He also stated that he supported an autopsy to establish the cause of death and urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
As of the time of reporting, the police investigation remains ongoing, and no court has made any findings regarding the circumstances of Habila’s death or the conflicting claims made by the parties involved.
