Works Minister Umahi Calls for Autopsy on Physiotherapist Mary Habila, after Her Naked Corpse was Reportedly Discovered at His Residence
Alleged remains of Mary Habila
By Reporter
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has confirmed that Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to the Federal Ministry of Works, died at his private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27, 2026.
In an official statement, Umahi described the death as “unfortunate,” saying emergency medical personnel and the police were immediately notified. He said he met with Habila’s family, expressed his condolences, and urged them to approve an autopsy, describing it as the most credible way to determine the cause of death. According to the minister, the family initially declined but he has renewed his call for a forensic examination.
Umahi stated that Habila and another physiotherapist, Anita Baski, were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works for the past three years. He urged the public to avoid speculation while police investigations continue.
However, accounts from police sources cited by SaharaReporters raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The sources alleged that Habila and Baski travelled from Kaduna State and arrived at the minister’s residence on June 26. They further claimed the women were brought to the residence by Jonathan Bawado, a police officer serving as Umahi’s Personal Assistant, and that Habila was found dead the following morning.
SaharaReporters also reported that Habila’s body was allegedly found unclothed when it was removed from the residence, claiming it had independently verified photographs related to the incident. These claims have not been confirmed by the minister or the police.
Police sources further disputed aspects of the minister’s account regarding the women’s deployment, while public scrutiny has intensified over reports that university hospital staff were assigned to duties at the minister’s residence.
The case has reportedly been transferred from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. As of now, authorities have not released an official cause of death, and investigators say the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death remain under investigation.
