Mary Habila was a physiotherapist by profession, employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFHS) and seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works. She died in late June at the Uburu residence of Works Minister Senator David Umahi in Ebonyi State.
The gap between the incident and its public disclosure has only fueled calls for a clear, transparent account of how she died.
What the Minister’s Office Said
Senator Umahi expressed shock at her passing. In a statement from his office, he said medical personnel and police were called to the scene immediately after her death, and he ordered an autopsy to determine the cause, urging her family to cooperate with investigators. 
His spokesperson confirmed the minister met personally with Habila’s relatives, assuring them the investigation would be thorough and follow due process, while denying any involvement in wrongdoing.
The Investigation
The Ebonyi State Police Command is leading the probe. As of July 15, 2026, no autopsy report has been made public, and no arrests have been made. Some media reports, citing anonymous police sources, have questioned parts of the minister’s team’s account, claims that authorities have yet to publicly address.
The Nigerian Women International Alliance has petitioned President Bola Tinubu to order an independent, transparent investigation into the circumstances of Habila’s death. The group emphasises that their demand is not an accusation against the minister, but a call for accountability, asserting that involving a public official requires a process that the public can trust.
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Who was Mary Habila?
Beyond the political side, there is a human side to this story that is worth concentrating on.
Mary Habila was a trained physiotherapist working within Nigeria’s health and civil service. She had a family and a career she built. She was at a government minister’s residence due to her duties or circumstances, and she did not return.
Her family has awaited answers since late June, and they continue to wait.
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Where Things Stand
The official cause of Mary Habila’s death has not been confirmed. The investigation remains ongoing. The minister has cooperated in early procedural steps, but the key question (what exactly happened inside that residence) remains unanswered officially.
Since becoming public, this case has reignited discussions about accountability when a death involves a powerful public official. The calls for transparency are especially urgent now because the longer the process drags on and less information is shared, the more silence itself becomes part of the story.
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