Fresh controversy has emerged over Mary Habila’s Death as the Ebonyi State Police Command and the family of the deceased remain divided over plans to conduct an autopsy. While the police insist a post-mortem examination is necessary to establish the exact cause of death, the family has reportedly opposed the procedure.
Key Highlights:
- Ebonyi Police insist on conducting an autopsy in Mary Habila’s Death investigation.
- Family of the deceased reportedly opposes a post-mortem examination.
- Police say a pathologist will be engaged to determine the actual cause of death.
- The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
- Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.
- Police pledge a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.
According to the statement, the command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Division regarding a medical emergency involving Miss Mary Habila, requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the DPO was informed by medical personnel that the nurse had been brought in dead. The Commissioner of Police subsequently directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
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Police Begin Full Investigation
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was among the medical personnel attached to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she reportedly died inside a room within the minister’s residential compound.
According to the command, detectives have since visited the scene, gathered relevant evidence and recorded statements from individuals connected with the incident.
Police Insist Autopsy Is Necessary
The command disclosed that it has concluded plans to engage the services of a qualified pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination.
According to the police, the autopsy is considered essential to determine the true cause of death and support the ongoing investigation.
“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 statement said.
Family Rejects Post-Mortem
However, the police revealed that the deceased’s family has indicated that it does not want an autopsy carried out on their daughter.
Despite the family’s position, the command maintained that the examination remains necessary due to the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the facts surrounding Mary Habila’s Death.
The police added that the presence of the family or their duly authorised representative would be required before the post-mortem examination is conducted.
Police Promise Transparency
The Ebonyi State Police Command assured the public that investigations into Mary Habila’s Death would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias.
The command also pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
