Umahi: I Spent ₦2.2 Million Treating Mary Habila Before Her Sudden Death

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has revealed that he personally spent more than ₦2.2 million on the medical treatment of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at a guest house in Ebonyi State, saying the deceased had been battling what he described as a “strange illness” before her death.

Umahi made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday amid growing public attention and controversy surrounding the circumstances of Habila’s death.

The minister said Habila, who was part of his medical team, had been receiving treatment at a Turkish hospital and that he personally took responsibility for her medical expenses.

According to him, the late nurse had suffered recurring health challenges, including episodes of nosebleeding, which required medical attention.

“She was battling a strange illness and I spent over ₦2.2 million treating her. She was receiving treatment at the Turkish Hospital, and all her medical bills were taken care of by me,” Umahi said.

The minister explained that shortly before her death, Habila spoke with her boyfriend and complained of a nosebleed. He said her boyfriend advised her to seek medical assistance.

Umahi said the boyfriend later attempted to reach her again a few minutes after their conversation but she did not respond.

“The boyfriend called back about three minutes later, but she did not answer,” the minister said.

He added that after repeated attempts to contact her failed, those around her forced open the door to her room and found her dead.

Umahi said investigations showed that the bathroom tap was still running, suggesting that she may have gone to take a bath after informing her boyfriend of her condition.

The minister stressed that the guest house where Habila was staying was separate from his residence and questioned assumptions linking him directly to the circumstances surrounding her death.

“The guest house where she stayed is nowhere near where I live. Does it mean that if someone dies in the Ministry of Works, the minister must automatically be held responsible?” he asked.

Umahi confirmed that Habila was among the medical personnel assigned to attend to him at the guest house and his official residence in Abuja, but maintained that there was no basis for allegations suggesting wrongdoing.

He also defended another medical staff member mentioned in connection with the case, explaining that the individual had worked with him since his tenure as governor before later securing federal employment.

The minister said he supported a full investigation into Habila’s death and insisted that an autopsy was necessary to determine the actual cause of death.

He disclosed that the deceased’s family initially opposed the procedure on cultural grounds, but said he instructed his lawyers to ensure that relevant medical records were obtained and that the body was not released until the examination was conducted.

Umahi said the matter had been reported to the Inspector-General of Police, with a request that the investigation be handled professionally.

He appealed to Habila’s family to cooperate with investigators, arguing that an autopsy remained the most reliable way to establish the facts surrounding her death.

“The best way to know what happened is through proper medical examination,” he said.

The minister also directed investigators to obtain and analyse the phone records of Habila and her boyfriend, noting that their final conversation occurred only minutes before her death.

He recalled that Habila had experienced a similar nosebleeding episode during an earlier official trip to Lagos and had informed her boyfriend, who advised her to seek medical attention.

Umahi described Habila’s death as painful, saying she was a dedicated member of his team who would be difficult to replace.

He urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified claims and allow investigators to complete their work.

“All relevant medical records are available and will assist the investigation,” he said.

The minister also rejected reports describing Habila as a physiotherapist, clarifying that she was a nurse and an employee of the Federal University of Health Sciences.

Habila was reported to have died on June 27 at the residence of the minister in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she had travelled alongside other members of Umahi’s medical team for an official assignment.

The Ebonyi State Police Command said she was brought dead to the Dave Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu, after which the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Her family has continued to demand the release of her remains for burial, with her father, Tanko Habila, stating that they do not suspect anyone over her death but want to lay their daughter to rest.

The police have maintained that an autopsy is necessary as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.