The police command in Ebonyi says the family of Mary Habila, the nurse who died at the residence of David Umahi, minister of works, do not want an autopsy conducted.
In a statement on Thursday, Joshua Ukandu, Ebonyi police spokesperson, said the command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination on the deceased’s body.
Ukandu said the command believes that due to the sensitivity of the matter, the procedure is imperative to establish the true cause of Habila’s death.
The Ebonyi police spokesperson said the divisional police officer (DPO) of Ohaozara division received a distress call on June 27, 2026, requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu for a medical emergency.
Ukandu said when the DPO arrived at the hospital, he was informed by authorities that the deceased was brought in dead on the day.
“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 statement reads.
“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 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 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.”
Habila died in Umahi’s house in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi state.
