The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on carrying out an autopsy on the body of physiotherapist Mary Habila, who was found dead at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, despite opposition from her family.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the post-mortem examination is necessary to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death and aid ongoing investigations.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Habila and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. She was later discovered dead in a room within the minister’s residential compound.
Ukandu explained that detectives had visited the scene, collected evidence, and obtained statements from relevant individuals as part of the investigation.
He disclosed that the command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ohaozara Division regarding a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the DPO was informed that Habila had already been brought in dead. The matter was immediately reported to the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
While acknowledging that the deceased’s family had objected to an autopsy, the police maintained that a post-mortem examination remained essential due to the circumstances surrounding her death.
“The Command, therefore, awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” the statement said.
The police assured the public that the investigation would be handled professionally, transparently, and impartially, adding that further updates would be released as the inquiry progresses.