The family of a nurse found dead at a private property linked to Nigeria’s Works Minister, David Umahi, has petitioned the police chief to release her body, while authorities insist an autopsy is needed to uncover how she died.
Mary Habila, a nurse attached to Mr. Umahi’s office, was found dead on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
According to a legal opinion from the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice, Ms Habila was found unclothed with bloodstains around her nose and mouth. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), J.U. Chukwu, noted there was no evidence she had been suffering from any prior health conditions, making a post-mortem examination essential to guide the police investigation.
However, Ms Habila’s family has strongly opposed an autopsy, citing cultural and personal reasons, and has accused the state police command of unlawfully withholding her remains.
Family demands burial rights
The family’s lawyer, K.A. Yusuf, submitted a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, requesting that the federal headquarters take over the case and release the corpse.
The lawyer stated that the prolonged retention of the body has caused the family immense psychological and financial hardship, preventing them from performing traditional and religious burial rites.
Speaking at the police headquarters, the deceased nurse’s father, Wisdom Habila, maintained that the family does not suspect foul play but simply wants to lay their daughter to rest.
“I don’t want the autopsy,” Mr. Habila said. “All that I want is the body of my daughter. We don’t keep the body of a little child for this long.”
Minister denies wrongdoing
Minister David Umahi, a prominent figure in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, broke his silence on the case, describing attempts to link him to the death as “politics taken too far.”
Mr. Umahi stated that Ms Habila was like a daughter to him and claimed she actually had a history of medical challenges. According to the minister, she had complained of bleeding from her nose during a phone conversation with her boyfriend shortly before her body was discovered.
His media aide stated that the minister had not received any formal invitation from the police. However, senior police sources confirmed that several other individuals deemed relevant to the investigation have been invited to make official statements.
Political fallout
The case has quickly taken on a political dimension in Nigeria. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Tinubu to suspend Mr. Umahi to ensure a transparent investigation, arguing that the minister’s political influence could interfere with local authorities in Ebonyi State.
Conversely, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the minister’s kinsmen have condemned the calls for his resignation, describing them as premature and politically motivated. They have urged the public to allow the police to conduct an impartial inquiry based strictly on forensic evidence.
Add Comment