Umahi Confirms Mary Habila Died at His Ebonyi Residence, Renews Call for Autopsy
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has confirmed that Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to the Federal Ministry of Works, died at his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
The minister also renewed his appeal for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death.
The confirmation follows reports that raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death. Public attention has also focused on the secondment of staff from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) to the Federal Ministry of Works and their presence at the minister’s residence.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi described Habila’s death as “unfortunate” and said he received the news with profound shock and sadness.
According to the statement, the minister said emergency response measures were immediately activated after the incident.
He explained that medical personnel, including the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, were contacted without delay, while the Nigeria Police Force was promptly informed in line with legal procedures.
Umahi further stated that after medical personnel confirmed Habila’s death, he personally met with her parents to express his condolences.
He said he advised the family to consent to an autopsy to scientifically determine the cause of death, but claimed that they initially declined the recommendation.
The minister clarified that Mary Habila and Anita Baski were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years before Habila’s death.
“It is important to clarify that Miss Mary Habila and Miss Anita Baski are employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years until the unfortunate passing of Miss Habila,” Umahi said.
The circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death have continued to attract public attention, with calls for transparency and a thorough investigation.
Umahi maintained that an autopsy remains the most appropriate scientific process to establish the cause of death, while investigations by relevant authorities are expected to continue.
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