The father of the late Miss Mary Habila has formally rejected plans for an autopsy on his daughter and asked the Ebonyi State High Court to order the immediate release of her body for burial, saying his family no longer wishes to pursue further investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, in an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, said his family had resolved to have Habila buried with her body intact, despite ongoing efforts by authorities to determine the cause of her death.
Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences (DUFMS), died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Before her death, she had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, where she served for about three years in the office of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
According to her father, she worked as a personal nurse to the minister and resided with other members of the minister’s immediate staff at the Minister’s Guest House in Abuja and the Minister’s Staff Quarters in Ebonyi State.
“That I am aware that my late daughter served as a Personal Nurse to the Honourable Minister of Works and Minister’s immediate staff with whom she resided at Minister’s Guest House in Abuja and in Ebonyi State at Minister’s Staff Quarters,” the affidavit stated.
Mr. Habila acknowledged that the Minister of Works had requested a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death but insisted that his family would not consent to such a procedure.
“That while I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter’s body,” he deposed.
He explained that the family’s decision was driven by the desire to preserve the body and organs of the deceased.
“That it is my family’s wish and humble appeal against medical and investigation protocols to leave her body and organs intact, hence this affidavit.”
The bereaved father further informed the court that the family no longer intended to participate in any investigation into the matter and requested that the body be released without delay.
“That I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” he stated.
He also declared that neither he nor his family would honour any future invitations from the police or the court, maintaining that they do not suspect any foul play.
“That I will not honour subsequent invitation either to the Police or Court in respect of this case as my family is not suspecting any foul play.”
Habila died at the residence of the Minister of Works in Uburu, where she was attached as part of his immediate staff.
The development comes after the Ebonyi State Police Command announced plans to conduct a post-mortem examination, describing it as necessary to establish the actual cause of her death.
The family’s latest position now departs from the earlier stance of both the police and the Minister of Works, who had supported an autopsy as part of the investigation.
The Ebonyi State High Court is yet to rule on the application seeking the release of Habila’s body for burial.
