The father of 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, who died at the Uburu, Ebonyi State residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has appealed for the immediate release of her body for burial, insisting that his family does not want an autopsy conducted.
Speaking in an interview aired by Trust TV News on Friday, Habila’s father, Wisdom Habila, said the family’s decision was driven by cultural and personal beliefs about burying the deceased promptly, rather than any attempt to obstruct investigations.
“We don’t keep the death of a little child for this long. That is why I am here to say once again that I need the corpse of my daughter so I can take her home for burial,” he said.
Explaining why the family opposes a post-mortem examination, he added, “That is why I said I don’t want the autopsy. I just want the corpse of my daughter released so we can bury her.”
Addressing allegations of possible foul play, following reports that the nurse may have been assaulted before her death, Habila said he harbours no suspicion against anyone.
“I am not suspecting anybody because death can occur at any time. Even as we are standing here, someone can suddenly fall and die. It has happened, and we are not accusing anybody,” he stated.
He also described his daughter’s relationship with her employers and the minister’s household as cordial, saying she enjoyed a peaceful working environment.
Mary Habila reportedly died on June 27 in a room within Minister David Umahi’s compound in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she and other members of the minister’s medical team had travelled for official duties.
The Ebonyi State Police Command said doctors at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital confirmed she was brought in dead before transferring the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.
Despite the family’s request, the police have maintained that an autopsy is necessary to determine the exact cause of death. The family has since approached the Ebonyi State High Court, seeking an order to halt the police investigation and facilitate the release of the body.
Meanwhile, Minister David Umahi has dismissed allegations of foul play, describing the deceased as “like a daughter” who had worked with him for about three years. He also revealed that he had personally covered some of her medical expenses in the past, insisting that there was nothing suspicious surrounding her death.
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