Police, Umahi Insist on Autopsy on Mary Habila’s Death
Onyeka Nnabu
Ebonyi state police command said it was set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that would help determine the cause of the death of Miss Miss Mary Habila at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The decision was also in tandem with Senator Umahi who insisted that an autopsy should be carried out, even against the decision of the deceased family.
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In a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu, the late physiotherapist was a medical team attached to the Minister of Works.
According to Ukandu: “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 police spokesman noted that though the family of the deceased has claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter, the Command nonetheless has considered the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.
Ukandu added that the Command the awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence would be essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination.
He said that Ebonyi State Police Command has assured the public of a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into this matter and would provide further updates as the case progresses.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 17TH 2026)
