The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has requested an autopsy be conducted on the remains of late Miss Mary Habila who died in his Ebonyi residence.
In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command Abakaliki, dated July 15, 2026, and signed by Roy Nwaze, the Minister’s solicitors requested that Habila’s remains should not be released to her next of kin yet.
The letter reads this: “REQUEST FOR THE CONDUCT OF AN AUTOPSY ON THE LATE MISS MARY HABILA BEFORE THE RELEASE OF HER REMAINS
We are Solicitors to Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator (Engr.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE (hereinafter referred to as “our Client”), on whose firm instructions we write this letter.
“Our Client informed us that Miss Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, died on 27th June 2026 in a building situated within our Client’s residence at Umunaga, Uburu, Dhaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
“Notably, the deceased did not reside in the same building as our Client. Rather, the building is exclusively designated for members of our Client’s staff and other persons working with him. On the night of her death, the deceased and another lady, a physiotherapist, were the only occupants of the building.
“In view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased, and in the interest of justice, transparency, and the due administration of criminal justice, our Client respectfully requests that the Nigeria Police Force cause a comprehensive autopsy to be conducted on the remains of the decreased by qualified forensic pathologists for the purpose of scientifically and independently ascertaining the actual cause and circumstances of her death.
“Our Client further requests that the remains of the deceased should not be released to any person, including her next of kin, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom of Sabon Gari, Nok, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, until the autopsy has been duly conducted and all necessary investigative procedures relating thereto have been concluded.
“This request is made to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively determined before the remains are interred.
We trust that your office will accord this request the urgent attention it deserves in the overall interest of justice and the integrity of the investigation.
Please accept the assurances of our highest professional regards”.
