The family of the late Mary Habila has rejected plans for an autopsy and asked authorities to discontinue further investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, despite the Ebonyi State Police Command insisting that its probe will continue.
The development comes days after activist Omoyele Sowore called for a full investigation and coroner’s inquest into Habila’s death, arguing that the circumstances surrounding her demise at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, raised questions that required independent scrutiny.
According to an affidavit titled “Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case” filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, Habila’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family does not suspect foul play and wants her body released immediately for burial.
The affidavit stated that Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
It explained that Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences who had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she worked in the office of the Minister of Works for about three years as a personal nurse to the minister and members of his immediate staff.
Although the Minister of Works reportedly requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death, the family declined to grant consent.
“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter’s body,” the affidavit stated.
The family further urged authorities not to tamper with the deceased’s body or organs and requested that no further investigation be carried out.
It also informed the court that family members would not honour any future invitations from the police or the courts regarding the matter, maintaining that they were acting voluntarily and without pressure or inducement.
However, the Ebonyi State Police Command said it would not halt its investigation.
Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu, in a statement issued on July 15, said the command received a distress report on June 27 after Habila was brought dead to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
He said the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for a comprehensive investigation.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that Habila and another medical worker were part of the team attached to the Minister of Works and had travelled with him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the minister’s residential compound.
The command said detectives had inspected the scene, obtained statements from relevant witnesses and were making arrangements for a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
While acknowledging the family’s refusal to consent to an autopsy, the police maintained that the examination remained necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of death.
The command added that it was awaiting the attendance of Habila’s family or their representative to facilitate the post-mortem process and assured the public that the investigation would be transparent, impartial and thorough.
