Questions continue to surround the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to the Federal Ministry of Works, who died on June 27 at the country residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State. The incident has sparked public debate and renewed calls for a transparent investigation.
In an official statement, Umahi’s media office confirmed that Habila died at his residence and said emergency medical personnel and the Nigeria Police were contacted immediately after the incident. The minister expressed condolences to the family and stated that he had advised them to approve an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death, but said the family initially declined. He has since renewed his call for an autopsy, describing it as the most credible way to determine what happened.
The controversy intensified after Sahara Reporters published allegations, citing unnamed police sources, about the circumstances surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence and the handling of her body. Those allegations have not been independently verified, and as of now, no official police findings or autopsy results have been released. The case has reportedly been transferred to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
The minister’s office has urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators carry out their work, insisting that a scientific examination is necessary to establish the facts. Meanwhile, civil society groups and members of the public have continued to call for an independent and transparent investigation to address lingering questions surrounding the incident.
