Minister of Works, David Umahi, has confirmed the death of a physiotherapist, Mary Habila, at his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, describing the incident as unfortunate and calling for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/yemi.jpg")
The confirmation followed reports that Habila died under controversial circumstances at the minister’s country home in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi said he received the news of Habila’s death with profound shock and sadness.
According to the statement, emergency measures were immediately activated after the incident, with medical personnel, including officials from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, contacted without delay.
The minister’s office also said the police were promptly notified in line with legal procedure.
Umahi identified Habila as a physiotherapist employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences and seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works for three years.
He also confirmed that Habila was at his Uburu residence before her death, but insisted that the circumstances of the incident should be established through proper investigation rather than speculation.
The minister said he personally received Habila’s parents, condoled with them and advised the family to consent to an autopsy to scientifically determine the cause of death.
He, however, said the family initially declined the recommendation.
Umahi maintained that a post-mortem examination remained the most responsible way to address public concerns and clear doubts surrounding the incident.
The matter has generated public interest after SaharaReporters alleged that Habila was found dead in the minister’s residence under mysterious circumstances.
The report further alleged that Habila was found without clothing when her body was removed from the residence, citing exclusive photographs it said it had obtained and verified.
Police sources quoted in the report also disputed aspects of the minister’s account, alleging that Habila and another woman, Anita Baski, arrived at the minister’s residence from Kaduna State on June 26, 2026.
The sources reportedly claimed that the two women were brought to the residence to attend to the minister and that Habila was found dead the following morning.
According to the report, a police officer, Jonathan Bawado, said to be serving as Umahi’s Personal Assistant and a former Aide-de-Camp to the minister when he was Governor of Ebonyi State, allegedly brought the two women to the residence.
The same officer was also said to have alerted medical personnel after Habila was discovered unresponsive.
Reports further stated that a doctor and an ambulance were dispatched to the residence, while the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Police Division, CSP Tobechukwu Godwin, was notified.
The matter was reportedly transferred from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department in Abakaliki for further investigation.
The incident has also raised questions over the secondment of university hospital staff to the residence of the Minister of Works, with some members of the public demanding clarification on the official basis for such arrangement.
Umahi’s office, however, rejected suggestions that the incident was concealed, insisting that relevant authorities were contacted after the death was discovered.
The minister appealed to the public to avoid spreading rumours and allow investigators and medical experts determine the facts surrounding Habila’s death.
The case has continued to attract calls for a transparent investigation, particularly in view of the conflicting accounts surrounding how Habila arrived at the residence, the circumstances of her death and the handling of the matter after her body was discovered.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.”
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
