Minister David Umahi Confirms Physiotherapist’s Death at His Ebonyi Residence
Minister Umahi confirms Mary Habila's death at his residence and renews his call for an autopsy into the case.
Nigeria’s Minister of Works David Umahi, has confirmed that Mary Habila died inside his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, and has renewed calls for an autopsy.
He explained that Habila worked as a physiotherapist and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences. This confirmation comes after SaharaReporters published an exclusive report claiming the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death remained shrouded in secrecy, alongside public concerns over why university hospital staff had been sent to the minister’s private residence.
In a statement released on Saturday, Umahi’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, said the minister described the incident as “unfortunate” and expressed profound shock and sadness. According to the statement, emergency protocols were activated immediately, with medical personnel, including the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, contacted without delay. Nigerian police were also notified in line with standard procedure.
The minister said he personally met Habila’s parents afterwards, offered his condolences, and urged them to consent to an autopsy to scientifically determine the cause of death, though the family reportedly declined this request initially. Umahi clarified that both Habila and a colleague, Miss Anita Baski, had worked as physiotherapists on secondment to his ministry for three years before the incident. Amid continued public scrutiny, he has since reiterated his call for an autopsy, calling it the most credible route to resolving lingering questions.
Habila died under mysterious circumstances just a day after she and Baski, both from Kaduna State, arrived at the minister’s residence on 26 June 2026. Police sources said Jonathan Bawado, an officer serving as Umahi’s Personal Assistant, alerted medical staff after Habila was found unresponsive the next morning. The case has since moved from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department in Abakaliki. Umahi has urged the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to complete their work without interference.
What questions do you think the autopsy needs to answer about this case?
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