‘We Don’t Suspect Anyone’: Mary Habila’s Father Explains Why Family Opposes Autopsy, Demands Daughter’s Body for Burial

The father of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has explained why the family is rejecting an autopsy, saying their only wish is to retrieve her body and give her a proper burial.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen, Habila Wisdom said the family has no suspicion of foul play and is not accusing anyone of being responsible for their daughter's death.

Instead, he said the prolonged delay in releasing her remains has deepened the family's grief, stressing that they simply want to lay her to rest.

"We don't keep the death of a little child up to so long, just like this. That is why I am here to say once again and for all, I need the corpse of my daughter to take her for burial. That is what I am standing on," he said.

The grieving father maintained that the family's position was not motivated by distrust of any individual or institution but by acceptance of what had happened.

"I am not suspecting anybody because death can occur. Even as we are standing here, one can fall here now and die. So we are not suspecting anybody. It has happened, it has happened," he said.

Mary Habila reportedly died on June 27 inside a room at Umahi's residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she had travelled alongside members of the minister's medical team for an official assignment.

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

Police authorities have insisted that an autopsy is necessary to determine the exact cause of death.

However, Habila's family has opposed the procedure and has approached the Ebonyi State High Court seeking an order to halt the autopsy and compel the release of her remains for burial.

The controversy has continued to generate public attention, with conflicting views over whether an autopsy should proceed before the body is released to the family.

Responding to the matter earlier, Minister of Works Dave Umahi denied any suggestion of foul play, describing Mary Habila as "like a daughter" and stating that she had worked with him for about three years.

The minister also disclosed that he had previously assisted with her medical treatment and said the circumstances surrounding her death would be properly addressed through the appropriate authorities.