The family of Mary Habila, a nurse who served in the office of the Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, has formally withdrawn from investigations into her death and rejected a proposed autopsy on her body, according to an affidavit filed at the High Court of Justice, Ebonyi State.
Mary Habila died on 27 June 2026 at Uburu, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to the affidavit, sworn by her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, of Sabon Gan Nok, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, she had been a staff member of David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded for about three years to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as personal nurse to the Minister and his immediate staff.
The affidavit states that the Minister of Works had requested an autopsy to determine the cause of her death. However, the father said his family will not consent to the procedure, asking that her body and organs remain intact for burial in line with their wishes.
The family has also withdrawn its cooperation from further investigation into the death and has requested that the Nigerian Police release the body for burial.
Wisdom stated in the affidavit that the family does not suspect foul play and will not honour further invitations from the Police or the courts in connection with the case.
He affirmed that the depositions were made voluntarily, without inducement or coercion, and reflect his family’s sincere wishes.
The affidavit was sworn at the High Court Registry, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on 13 July 2026.