From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on an autopsy for Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who died at his residence on 27 June 2026.
The deceased’s death has generated reactions across the country, with Umahi and the police insisting on an autopsy to unravel the cause of the tragedy.
But the family of the deceased has obtained a court affidavit rejecting a post-mortem examination on their daughter.
According to the affidavit obtained by Daily Sun, the family said it wants Habila’s body to remain intact and will not support any autopsy on the deceased.
However, in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the police said it considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.
The police said it awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination.
“On 27th June 2026, Ebonyi State Police Command received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving Miss Mary Habila and requesting his presence at David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead. He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased and a colleague formed part of the medical team attached to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she died in a room within the compound of his residence.
“The Command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons. The Command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.
“The family of the deceased has, however, claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter. The Command nonetheless considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death. The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination.
“The Ebonyi State Police Command assures the public of a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into this matter and will provide further updates as the case progresses,” Ukandu said.
(The Sun)