The Ebonyi State Police Command says the family of Mary Habila, the physiotherapist who died at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has opposed plans to conduct an autopsy on her body, despite investigators insisting the procedure is crucial to determining the cause of death.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the command had concluded arrangements to engage a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination as part of its investigation.
According to him, the police consider the autopsy necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of Habila’s death.
TheFact Daily notes that the case first attracted public attention on June 27, 2026, after Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to the medical team of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, died while on official assignment in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. According to police, she died in a room within the compound of the minister’s residence and was later taken to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu, where she was confirmed dead. Her death has since generated widespread public interest and calls for a thorough investigation.
Ukandu said detectives had visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons and commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
He, however, disclosed that Habila’s family had declined to approve the post-mortem examination.
“The family of the deceased has, however, claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter,” he said.
Despite the family’s position, the command maintained that the examination remains necessary and said it was awaiting the attendance of the family or an authorised representative before proceeding.
“The Command nonetheless considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” Ukandu stated.
He added that the family’s presence is essential for the conduct of the post-mortem examination.
The case has continued to attract public attention following earlier comments by Umahi dismissing claims that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death were being concealed.
Meanwhile, Habila’s family has fixed July 17, 2026, for her burial.
A funeral announcement said she was born on September 18, 2000, and died on June 27, 2026. Her funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
