The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) David Nweze Umahi, has formally requested the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a comprehensive forensic autopsy on the remains of the late Miss Mary Habila before her body is released for burial.
According to an official letter by the Minister’s solicitors, Roy O. Umahi Nwaeze, SAN, and Roy D. U. Nwaeze, SAN, CArb., CEHF, the request was made in the interest of justice, transparency and the proper administration of criminal justice.
The letter stated that the late Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on 27 June 2026 in a staff residential building located within the Minister’s residence at Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The solicitors explained that the deceased did not reside in the same building as Senator Umahi, noting that the facility was designated exclusively for members of the Minister’s staff and other persons working with him. They further disclosed that on the night of the incident, the deceased and another female occupant, identified as a physiotherapist, were the only persons in the building.
According to the letter, the Minister requested that qualified forensic pathologists be engaged to carry out a comprehensive autopsy to scientifically and independently determine the actual cause and circumstances surrounding Miss Habila’s death.
The Minister also urged the Police not to release the remains of the deceased to any individual, including her next of kin, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom of Sabon Gari, Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, until the autopsy and all related investigative procedures have been completed.
The letter stated that the request was intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively established before the deceased is laid to rest.
The Minister’s legal representatives expressed confidence that the Nigeria Police Force would give the request urgent consideration in the overall interest of justice and the integrity of the investigation.
