Mr Tanko Habila Wisdom, father of the late Miss Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse found dead in the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has rejected plans for an autopsy on his daughter’s remains and withdrawn from further investigation into her death.
In an Affidavit of Withdrawal filed before the High Court of Justice, Ebonyi State, Mr Habila, of Sabon Gari Noh, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, said the family wants the body released for burial without further medical procedures.
The deceased, Miss Habila, a staff member of David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to the affidavit, the deceased had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi, Abuja, where she worked in the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works for about three years before her death.
“That I am aware that my late daughter served as a Personal Nurse to the Honourable Minister of Works and the Minister’s immediate staff, with whom she resided at the Minister’s Guest House in Abuja and at the Minister’s Staff Quarters in Ebonyi State,” Mr Habila’s affidavit read.
Mr Habila stated that although the Honourable Minister of Works requested an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, the family opposed it.
“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.
“That it is my family’s wish and humble appeal, despite medical and investigative protocols, to leave her body and organs intact, hence this affidavit.”
The deponent further told the court that he does not wish to continue with the investigation or honour further invitations concerning the matter and requested the immediate release of his daughter’s body.
“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.
“That I will not honour subsequent invitations by the police or the court in respect of this case as my family does not suspect any foul play,” the affidavit added.
Miss Habila allegedly died at the Minister of Works’ residence in Uburu, where she served as part of the minister’s immediate staff.
The Ebonyi State Police Command had earlier said it would engage a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination, noting that it was necessary to establish the true cause of death.
The court is yet to rule on the application for the release of the body as of the time of this report.
