All things being equal, late Mary Habila is supposed to be buried on Friday June 17, 2026, after her demise at Minister of Works, David Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi state, last month, but controversies surrounding her death has led to the postponement of her burial.
While family members have indicated willingness to bury her without her body being dissected for an autopsy, many Nigerians, including Umahi, have insisted that she won’t be buried without an autopsy.
Umahi’s latest revelation
While many Nigerians have accused Umahi of knowing something about Mary Habila’s death, referring to her as a physiotherapist who died while having an affair with the Minister, Umahi has revealed that Mary Habila was actually a nurse attached to him.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, during an analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Legacy Projects, Umahi took a break to respond to questions regarding to Mary Habila’s death, saying she was also an employee of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State.
According to him, Mary Habila lived with his family for over three years and was like a daughter to him, hence he was still in mourning and was finding it increasingly annoying to be linked to her death.
He said the late nurse had been receiving medical care for an existing health condition at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja and that he spent over N2.2 million naira on her medical treatment.
He said that the deceased being referred to as “a runs girl or his lover” was an insult and a disservice to her as a professional nurse, saying her death should not be used for cheap political points.
Before her death
Umahi said the deceased collapsed and became unresponsive after bleeding from the nose, saying the tap was running in her bathroom, suggesting she was preparing to take her bath before her death, but that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
He said Miss Habila had a telephone conversation with her boyfriend during which she complained of bleeding from her nose shortly before she died.
He said that he had remained silent since her death to avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations and out of consideration for her family.
He said that Habila had earlier told her boyfriend she intended to take a bath after locking her room, rejecting insinuations linking him or members of his family to the incident, describing such claims as politically motivated.
Umahi said his family had maintained a close relationship with Habila’s family and disclosed that he had personally paid for her medical treatment.
He said: “The lady in question was like a daughter to me. She stayed with me for three years. She was a staff member of the Federal University of Health Sciences and worked as a nurse, not a physiotherapist.
“She spoke with her boyfriend shortly before her death and complained of bleeding from the nose. The boyfriend advised her to seek medical attention immediately. She replied that the bleeding had stopped.
“He insisted on ending the call, as continuing the conversation could worsen the situation. She asked him not to hang up, but he eventually did. About three minutes later, he called back, but she did not answer.
“When she did not respond, the door was forced open, and she was found dead. The tap was still running. What baffles me is how every unfortunate incident in this country becomes an opportunity for politics.
“The guest house where she stayed, along with another medical staff member, is far from where I live. Does it mean that if someone dies in the Ministry of Works, the minister must automatically be held responsible? Is that what people are suggesting?
“Her family and my family are very close. She had been receiving treatment at Turkish Hospital, with all her medical bills paid by us. Her medical records are there.
“Her family and my family are very close. She had been receiving treatment at Turkish Hospital, with all her medical bills paid by us. Her medical records are there. The last treatment was on April 5, and it cost me ₦2.2 million, which I personally paid.”
Committed worker, renewed calls for autopsy
Describing Mary Habila as a committed worker, Umahi said her death was a painful loss.
On calls for a post-mortem examination, Umahi said the deceased’s relatives initially declined an autopsy because of cultural beliefs, but that he directed his lawyers to insist on the procedure in the interests of transparency.
He further revealed that he had notified the Inspector-General of Police and requested that the investigation be transferred to Abuja.
He said investigators had also been asked to obtain the telephone records of Habila and her boyfriend to help establish the sequence of events preceding her death.
He added that the boyfriend told investigators that Habila had experienced a similar episode of nosebleeding during an earlier official trip to Lagos and had been advised to seek medical attention.
The Minister urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified claims and to allow the police investigation and autopsy to determine the cause of death.
He said: “She was one of my best workers — a dedicated nurse and staff member. I am deeply pained by her death. She will be difficult to replace.
“We pleaded with her parents to allow an autopsy, but they said it was against their culture.
“Nevertheless, through my lawyer, we insisted that an autopsy should be carried out, and I have directed that her body should not be released until it is done.
“The matter is under investigation. We have reported it to the Inspector-General of Police and requested that the case be transferred to Abuja. I am also appealing to the family to meet with the Inspector-General so they can be persuaded to allow the autopsy.
“I have asked the police to examine both her call records and those of her boyfriend. The last conversation they had took place shortly before her death. The call logs will provide the necessary details.
“If we had any hand in her death, let it follow our families and us. But if we are innocent and people falsely accuse us, they should also be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.”