Police Probe Death of Umahi’s Medical Aide, Seek Autopsy Despite Family’s Objection

The Ebonyi State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, a medical professional who died while on official duty as part of a medical team attached to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

Habila was accompanying the minister to his hometown of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State when she was found dead inside his residential compound.

The police said the circumstances surrounding her death require a thorough and transparent investigation, including a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

However, the command disclosed that the deceased's family has formally objected to an autopsy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said investigators consider a post-mortem essential because of the sensitive nature of the case and the location where the death occurred.

According to him, the command is engaging a pathologist but cannot proceed until the deceased's family or an authorised representative is physically present, as required by law and established procedure.

"The family of the deceased has formally stated that they do not wish for an autopsy to be performed on their daughter. However, the command considers a post-mortem examination necessary to scientifically establish the true cause of death and ensure a transparent investigation," Ukandu said.

He explained that the Ohaozara Divisional Police Officer received a distress call on June 27, 2026, reporting a medical emergency involving Habila.

Police officers who responded to the incident arrived at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, where hospital authorities confirmed that she had been brought in dead.

Ukandu said the Divisional Police Officer immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a full investigation.

He added that detectives have processed the scene, obtained statements from key witnesses and commenced other investigative procedures.

The police assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, impartially and transparently, promising to provide updates as more facts emerge.

Umahi Denies Cover-Up, Threatens Legal Action

Meanwhile, Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed allegations circulating on social media about the circumstances surrounding Habila's death and announced plans to institute legal proceedings against those responsible for what he described as false and defamatory reports.

Speaking on Sunday while inspecting work on the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi said there was no attempt to conceal the incident.

According to him, the deceased's family forced open her room after becoming concerned when she failed to respond.

He said doctors from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital were immediately invited and made efforts to revive her after she was rushed to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead.

"The family broke the girl's door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed," Umahi said.

The minister stressed that the matter was promptly reported to the police, questioning claims that there had been any secrecy surrounding the incident.

"The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?" he asked.

Umahi disclosed that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death, noting that the examination would only proceed with the consent of the deceased's parents.

He described Habila as a dedicated medical professional who had worked with him for about three years and regularly monitored his health.

"The deceased was a good nurse who checked my medical vital signs and worked with me for three years," he said.

The minister also condemned what he described as the exploitation of the incident for political purposes, saying he had instructed his lawyers to initiate legal action against individuals spreading what he called falsehoods.

"The death of the purveyors of such falsehood will be worse because you don't do content creation with someone's death," Umahi said.

He further dismissed separate reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect reportedly recruited into the Ebonyi State security outfit, Ebubeagu, insisting he had no knowledge of the individual.

Umahi maintained that he remains committed to allowing the law to take its course regarding Habila's death and expressed confidence that the ongoing police investigation would establish the facts surrounding the incident.