“Ebonyi Police Insist On Autopsy For Physiotherapist Who Died At Umahi’s Residence” — Say Post-Mortem Necessary Despite Family’s Objection

The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination on the body of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu community, Ebonyi State.

The command said the autopsy is necessary to determine the actual cause of death and support the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Joshua Ukandu, said preliminary findings showed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works.

According to the police, Habila and her colleague had accompanied the minister to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.

Ukandu said the command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division concerning a medical emergency involving Habila.

The DPO was reportedly asked to proceed to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead. He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation,” Ukandu stated.

The police said detectives had visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons as part of the investigation.

The command added that it would engage the services of a pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination.

Ukandu acknowledged that the family of the deceased had objected to an autopsy, but said the police considered the examination necessary given the circumstances of the case.

“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,” he said.

The police assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial.

The command also said further updates would be provided as the inquiry progresses.