New Twist In Mary Habila Case: Police Reject Burial Without Autopsy

The Ebonyi State Police Command says it will proceed with a post-mortem examination on the body of 26-year-old physiotherapist Mary Habila, who died at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the command, the autopsy is necessary to determine the exact cause of death despite the reported objection of the deceased’s family.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement dated July 15, 2026, amid growing public interest in the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

The police said the incident was first reported on June 27 after the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Division received a distress call regarding a medical emergency involving Habila.

“On 27th June 2026, the Ebonyi State Police Command received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer, Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving Miss Mary Habila and requesting his presence at David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu,” the statement read.

According to the command, Habila had already been confirmed dead by medical personnel before the DPO arrived at the hospital.

“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 a thorough investigation,” the statement added.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police, showed that Habila and another colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu.

The command said Habila later died in a room located within the minister’s residential compound.

“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 police stated.

The command said detectives from the SCID had visited the scene, interviewed relevant witnesses and commenced a comprehensive investigation.

It added that arrangements were underway to engage a qualified pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination.

“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 statement said.

Family Opposes Autopsy

The police acknowledged that Habila’s family had indicated they did not want an autopsy carried out on her body.

However, the command maintained that the examination was essential given the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the facts surrounding her death.

“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 statement read.

The police said the post-mortem would be conducted in the presence of Habila’s family or their authorised representative.

“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,” it added.

The Ebonyi State Police Command assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, promising to provide further updates as the case progresses.