Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has acknowledged that Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to the Federal Ministry of Works, died at his private residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The minister, however, insisted that the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown and renewed his call for a medical autopsy to determine the cause.
His statement comes amid growing public attention and ongoing police investigations into the incident, which has generated widespread debate across the country.
Umahi Says Habila Was a Physiotherapist on Official Secondment
In a statement released through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi described Habila’s death as tragic and expressed condolences to her family.
According to the minister, Mary Habila and another physiotherapist, Anita Baski, were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, who had been officially seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works for the past three years.
He said the two healthcare professionals had been providing physiotherapy services under the ministry during that period.
The clarification followed public questions over reports that staff of the university’s health institution had been working at the minister’s residence.
Minister Insists Autopsy Is Necessary
Umahi disclosed that once Habila was found unresponsive, emergency measures were immediately initiated.
According to him, medical personnel, including the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, were contacted without delay, while the Nigeria Police was notified in line with established legal procedures.
The minister said he later met with Habila’s parents to sympathize with them and recommended that an autopsy be carried out to scientifically establish the cause of death.
He claimed the family initially declined the suggestion.
Despite that, Umahi said he continues to believe that a forensic examination remains the most credible way to determine what happened.
He also appealed to the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators and medical experts to complete their work without interference.
Death Continues to Generate Public Interest
The incident has attracted widespread attention following reports questioning the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death inside the minister’s residence.
The matter first came into the spotlight after media reports alleged that the incident had been handled with limited public disclosure, prompting calls for a transparent investigation.
Questions have also been raised about the deployment of university hospital staff to the residence of a serving minister, although Umahi maintains they were officially seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works.
Police Investigation Underway
According to reports, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, just a day after she and Anita Baski reportedly arrived at Umahi’s residence in Uburu.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the matter was initially reported to the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters before it was transferred to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abakaliki for further investigation.
Investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events leading to Habila’s death.
Reports indicate that after she was discovered unconscious, medical assistance was immediately requested while police authorities were informed.
The Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, was also reportedly notified as part of the emergency response.
Calls for Transparency Continue
Although David Umahi has publicly acknowledged that Mary Habila died at his residence, the circumstances surrounding her death remain the subject of an active investigation.
The minister has maintained that only an independent autopsy and the outcome of the police investigation can provide definitive answers.
Meanwhile, public interest in the case remains high, with many Nigerians and civil society groups calling for a transparent investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
