Fresh details have emerged on the death of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences (DUFUS) and on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, as a colleague narrated the events leading to her death while Minister of Works David Umahi requested a comprehensive forensic investigation.
According to a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court, Habila’s close friend and colleague, Anita Baaki, a physiotherapist from Benue State, said they travelled from Abuja to Ebonyi on June 24 as part of an official assignment under the Minister of Works.
Baaki explained that the officials were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet located within Umahi’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. She clarified that the building was designated for staff members and associates, not the minister’s personal residence.
She recalled that on the evening of June 26, Habila returned after having her hair done and stopped by her room to show off her new hairstyle. The two chatted before Habila said she was tired and intended to take a shower before going to bed.
“Mary told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” Baaki stated in her affidavit.
The following morning, Baaki became worried when Habila failed to come out as usual. Repeated phone calls went unanswered, prompting her to knock on Habila’s door. When there was no response and the door remained locked from the inside, she alerted other staff members.
After confirming that Habila was not elsewhere on the premises, the room was forced open. She was found lying unconscious near the door and was immediately rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed her dead on arrival.
Baaki said her statement was made voluntarily and without any form of coercion to assist the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing Minister Umahi have formally written to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, requesting a comprehensive forensic autopsy before Habila’s body is released for burial.
The legal team said the request was necessary to ensure transparency, preserve evidence, and establish the exact cause of death through scientific examination.
They also reiterated that Habila was staying in accommodation reserved for staff members and associates, not in the minister’s personal residence, adding that only Habila and Baaki occupied the chalet on the night of the incident.
The lawyers urged the police to engage qualified forensic pathologists and requested that Habila’s remains should not be released to her family, including her next of kin, Tanko Habila Wisdom of Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, until the autopsy and all investigative procedures have been concluded.
According to the legal representatives, completing the forensic examination before burial would help eliminate speculation and ensure that any conclusions regarding Habila’s death are based solely on scientific findings.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing.