The father of late Mary Habila, the health worker who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), requesting the immediate release of her remains for burial and insisting that an autopsy will not bring his daughter back to life. The request comes even as the Ebonyi State Police Command maintains that investigations into the controversial death must continue.
The controversy surrounding the death of Mary Habila has taken another dramatic turn after her father formally appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to release her body for burial.
Rather than pursuing further forensic examinations, the family says it wants to lay the 26-year-old to rest, arguing that prolonging the process will only deepen their grief without changing the painful reality of her death.
In documents submitted to the authorities, Mary’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, stated that the family does not consent to an autopsy and wishes to discontinue further police involvement in the matter.
He maintained that although efforts to establish the cause of death are appreciated, the family’s priority is to recover her remains and conduct a dignified burial in accordance with their wishes.
The petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police seeks the immediate release of Habila’s remains, urging investigators not to delay the burial any further.
The family also indicated that it does not intend to participate in additional police interviews or legal proceedings connected to the case, insisting that its position was reached voluntarily and without pressure from any individual or institution.
Despite the family’s request, the Ebonyi State Police Command has maintained that the investigation cannot simply be discontinued.
Police authorities say the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death require a thorough and independent investigation, adding that a forensic autopsy remains essential to establish the true cause of death before any conclusions can be reached.
Mary Habila, who served as part of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works, died on June 27, 2026, while accompanying the minister to his hometown in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
The incident has generated widespread public debate, with civil society organisations, political groups and members of the public calling for transparency as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding her death.
With the family seeking burial and the police insisting on completing their investigation, the case remains at a delicate stage. The final decision on whether the remains will be released before a forensic examination could determine the next phase of one of Nigeria’s most closely watched investigations in recent weeks.