The family of 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, has asked an Ebonyi State High Court to halt police efforts to conduct an autopsy and to discontinue the investigation into her sudden death at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

In an affidavit filed before the court, Mary’s father, Tanko Habila, said the family does not suspect foul play and will not consent to any post-mortem examination on her remains. He urged the authorities to release her body immediately for burial in accordance with the family’s wishes.

“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy,” he stated, adding that the decision was voluntary and made without pressure, inducement or influence from any person or group.

Mary, a nurse at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served as a personal nurse to Umahi and his immediate staff for about three years. She reportedly travelled with the minister to his hometown of Uburu, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she later died.

Following her death, Umahi requested an autopsy to determine the precise cause. However, the family has insisted that both medical and investigative authorities must leave her body and organs untouched, reiterating that they do not believe any crime was committed.

In the affidavit, Tanko Habila further declared that the family would not honour any additional police or court invitations on the matter. “I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” he said.

Despite the family’s stance, the Ebonyi State Police Command has maintained that its investigation will continue. Command spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said detectives received a distress call reporting a medical emergency at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu, but Mary was confirmed dead on arrival.

Ukandu explained that the Commissioner of Police ordered the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a more detailed probe. Preliminary findings showed that Mary and a colleague, identified as Anita Baaki, were part of the minister’s medical team and had accompanied him to Uburu.

The command said a post-mortem examination “remains necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” adding that detectives have visited the scene, taken statements and are arranging for a pathologist, while awaiting the presence of the family or their representative.