The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila, who was found dead at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu said the command received a distress report on June 27 after Habila was rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed she was brought in dead. The Commissioner of Police subsequently directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.
Investigators said preliminary findings showed that Habila and another nurse were members of Umahi’s medical team and had accompanied the minister to his hometown, where she reportedly died in a room within his residential compound. Detectives have since visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant witnesses and launched a full-scale investigation.
Although the deceased’s family has reportedly declined the police request for a post-mortem examination, the command maintained that an autopsy is essential to establish the exact cause of death because of the sensitive nature of the case. Police said they are awaiting the presence of the family or their representative before the examination can be carried out and pledged a transparent and impartial investigation.
