Mary Habila to be buried as Police probe death at Umahi residence continues

The family of Mary Habila, the 26-year old physiotherapist whose death at the Ebonyi residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has sparked widespread public attention, has announced that she will be buried on Friday as police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Read also: ADC demands independent probe into nurse’s death, asks Umahi to step aside

Habila, popularly known as Mara, died on June 27 at the minister’s official residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State. Her death remains under investigation, with police insisting that an autopsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.

According to a funeral announcement released by her family, Habila was born on September 18, 2000. Her funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where family members, friends, colleagues and sympathisers are expected to pay their final respects.

Read also: Concerns mount over death of Umahi’s physiotherapist as group urges independent probe

The case has attracted national attention since reports emerged that Habila’s body was found at the minister’s residence under disputed circumstances.

According to Sahara Reporters, she was found naked when her body was removed from the minister’s quarters, a claim that has fuelled public calls for a transparent and independent investigation.

Umahi has confirmed that Habila died at his residence but has denied any wrongdoing. He said she was a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works and maintained that he personally requested a comprehensive autopsy to establish the cause of death.

“The investigation should be allowed to run its full course,” the minister said, while also threatening legal action against individuals he accused of spreading false information about the incident.

Police have also stressed that the autopsy is a key part of the investigation.

According to Sahara Reporters, investigators are working to establish a detailed timeline of events leading to Habila’s death.
“Investigators are seeking to establish the actual timeline, including who was present at the residence, what actions were taken after Habila was discovered, and when emergency medical assistance was requested,” a police source told the publication.

Read also: Nigeria records 792 deaths in 882 security incidents in June – Report

The report also said investigators are examining allegations that Umahi left his country home shortly after the incident while aides arranged for an ambulance. Those claims have not been independently verified, and police have not publicly commented on them.

Investigators are continuing to gather witness statements and forensic evidence as they seek to determine how Habila died.

As her family prepares to lay her to rest, attention remains focused on the outcome of the police investigation and the autopsy, which authorities say will be crucial to establishing the facts surrounding the young physiotherapist’s death.