By Joy Onu
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Mary Habila are thoroughly investigated, insisting that the actual cause of her death must be scientifically established.
This position was reaffirmed on Thursday in a statement by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Works, who said Umahi has consistently maintained that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death should be subjected to a transparent and comprehensive investigation to establish the true cause.
“The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has consistently expressed his desire that the root cause of the unfortunate passing of Miss Mary Habila be thoroughly investigated and established,” Nwaze said.
The minister’s position follows a formal request submitted by his legal representatives, Roy & Associates, to the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, seeking a comprehensive autopsy on the deceased before her remains are released for burial.
According to the letter dated July 15, 2026, the law firm said it acted on the instruction of the minister, who requested that qualified forensic pathologists conduct an autopsy in the interest of justice, transparency and the due administration of criminal justice.
The letter stated that Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on June 27, 2026, in a staff building located within the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
It stated that the deceased did not reside in the same building as the minister, explaining that the facility was reserved for members of his staff and other persons working with him. It added that on the night of her death, only Habila and another female occupant, identified as a physiotherapist, were in the building.
The solicitors urged the police to ensure that the autopsy is carried out before the body is released to any individual, including the deceased’s next of kin, until all necessary investigative procedures have been concluded.
According to the letter, the request is intended to preserve the integrity of the investigation, eliminate speculation and ensure that the actual cause and circumstances surrounding the death are conclusively determined before burial.
The minister’s media aide said the request underscores Umahi’s commitment to a transparent investigation and his determination that the matter be resolved through due process.
The death of Miss Habila, who was reported to have been found dead in a staff building within the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, generated widespread media attention. Umahi has said that the matter be thoroughly investigated, maintaining that only a comprehensive forensic autopsy and due process can conclusively determine the cause and circumstances of her death.
