The Ebonyi State Police Command says the family of Mary Habila, a nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has opposed an autopsy on her remains.
The command said it would engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of Habila’s death, describing the procedure as necessary due to the sensitive nature of the case.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ebonyi police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu said the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.
Ukandu said the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division received a distress call on June 27, 2026, requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu following a medical emergency.
According to him, the DPO was informed upon arrival that Habila had been brought in dead.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased and a colleague were 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 read.
The police spokesperson said detectives had visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant individuals, and commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that the command considers the post-mortem examination necessary to determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.
However, Ukandu said the family of the deceased had expressed opposition to the autopsy, stating that they did not want the examination conducted 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,” he said.
The command said it is awaiting the presence of the family or their authorised representative, noting that their presence is required before the post-mortem examination can proceed.
Habila died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Minister of Works had earlier dismissed claims that the nurse’s death was concealed, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident were not being covered up.
