The family of Mary Habila, a nurse attached to Nigeria's Minister of Works, has petitioned the police chief for the release of her body, which has been held since her death on June 27. The lawyer clarifies her professional credentials and employment status amid alleged misinformation.
INVESTIGATION: Commissioned But Locked: How an idle hospital is failing women in Akwa IbomSustainable Development Goals in an era of flux: The Nigeria n story, By Jibrin IbrahimWole Soyinka at 92: Nigeria’s literary titan, Africa’s conscience and global intellectual powerhouse, By Ehi BraimahINVESTIGATION: Commissioned But Locked: How an idle hospital is failing women in Akwa IbomSustainable Development Goals in an era of flux: The Nigeria n story, By Jibrin IbrahimWole Soyinka at 92: Nigeria’s literary titan, Africa’s conscience and global intellectual powerhouse, By Ehi Braimah Ms Habila was reported dead at a private residence belonging to the Minister of Works David Umahi in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Her remains have since remained in police custody. The family of late Mary Habila has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police , Olatunji Disu, seeking an order directing the immediate release of her remains for burial. The family’s lawyer, Kaile Yusuf, disclosed this while briefing reporters on Friday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on the family’s efforts to retrieve Ms Habila’s body.
Mr Yusuf said Ms Habila, a staff member attached to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, died on 27 June in Ebonyi and her remains remain in official custody. He said the family had fulfilled police requirements for the body’s release but had yet to receive approval to proceed with burial. The lawyer said the briefing also aimed to correct alleged misinformation and false claims about Ms Habila’s profession and personal character.
According to him, Ms Habila was a qualified nurse, not a physiotherapist, and served at David Umahi University of Health Sciences before her deployment to the minister’s office. He said she worked with the minister for about three years and remained a civil servant, supported by her appointment letter and salary records. Mr Yusuf described the continued withholding of the body as unjustified and alleged attempts by unnamed persons to politicise the matter.
He said the family petitioned the IGP against the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, seeking immediate release of the remains for burial. The lawyer said the family rejected repeated requests for an autopsy, citing personal, cultural, and traditional reasons. He also dismissed allegations questioning Ms Habila’s character, insisting such claims were false and should not distract from the family’s request.
Mr Yusuf said the petition sought transfer of the matter to the Force Headquarters and disciplinary action against officers found to have acted unlawfully. Also speaking at the briefing, Mr Habila’s father, Tanko, appealed for the immediate release of his daughter’s body, saying the family only wanted to give her a befitting burial. He said the family was not accusing anyone over the death and maintained it had cordial relations with Ms Habila’s workplace before the incident.
A colleague, Anita Baki, described Ms Habila’s death as sudden, clarified she was the physiotherapist, and reaffirmed that the deceased served as a nurse. Ms Habila was reported dead at a private residence belonging to the Minister of Works David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Her remains have since remained in police custody.
The family said it complied with police requirements for the body’s release but opposes an autopsy on personal, cultural and traditional grounds, insisting only on a dignified burial.
Please follow us on Google to support usMary Habila David Umahi Nigeria Police Custody Nurse
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EFCC seeks stronger partnership to curb terrorist financing, protect CSOsBy Obas Esiedesa, Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators and civil society organisations across Africa to combat terrorist financing while protecting legitimate charitable organisations from unnecessary regulatory restrictions.
Read more »
75-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Defiling 11-Year-Old Girl in Rivers StateA Rivers State family court in Port Harcourt convicted and sentenced 75-year-old Promise Chukwumatti to ten years imprisonment without a fine for repeatedly defiling an 11-year-old girl. The court also ordered N1m compensation to the victim's family and inclusion of the convict's name on the state's rapist list. The judge cited the prosecution's proof beyond reasonable doubt and considered the convict's motherless children in granting a reduced sentence from life imprisonment. A restraining order was issued against the convict and his family from contacting the victim's family.
Read more »
Ebonyi Police to Conduct Autopsy on Nurse's Death at Minister's ResidenceThe Ebonyi State Police Command has announced plans to perform an autopsy on the body of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila, who was found dead at the country home of Works Minister David Umahi. Police say they are awaiting family cooperation for the post-mortem, which is considered crucial for the ongoing investigation. According to police, the deceased and a colleague were part of a medical team attached to the minister and were with him in his hometown when she died. Detectives have visited the scene and taken statements.
Read more »
Father of Nurse Who Died at Minister's Residence Seeks Immediate Burial Without AutopsyThe family of Mary Habila, a nurse who died at the home of Works Minister David Umahi, is demanding the release of her body for burial without an autopsy, citing cultural urgency and rejecting any suspicion of foul play, while police insist on a post-mortem to determine cause of death.
Read more »