The death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, DUFUMS, Uburu, has sparked calls for autopsy, protests and demands for the suspension of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

Habila was part of the medical team attached to the Federal Ministry of Works. She travelled with the minister to his hometown, Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.

According to police, on June 27, 2026, a distress call was made from the minister’s residence about a medical emergency. When the DPO arrived at David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu, hospital authorities said Habila was brought in dead.

Umahi said colleagues found her door locked from inside the next morning. “When they broke the door, they found her dead. The tap was still running. I think she wanted to have her bath”.

The minister said Habila had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed medical condition at a Turkish Hospital in Abuja and that his family paid about N2.2m for her last bill.

Both the Ebonyi Police Command and Umahi have insisted on a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

But the family has rejected it. Her father, Tanko Habila, told the Ebonyi High Court he wants the corpse released for immediate burial. “We don’t keep the death of a little child up to so long like this… I need the corpse of my daughter to take her for burial”.

The family said it is for cultural reasons and that they do not suspect foul play.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the National Association of University Students, NAUS, and the Ebonyi Police Command have all backed the call for autopsy.

Human rights group, HURIWA, and the Allied People’s Movement, APM, have gone further to demand that President Tinubu suspend Umahi pending an independent investigation.

APM said: “The Allied People’s Movement demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu… immediately suspend the Minister of Works… and order an open, independent and transparent inquest”.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has backed a probe but rejected calls for Umahi’s resignation.

Umahi has denied involvement and described Habila as “like a daughter”. He also said he reported the matter to the IGP and asked that investigation be transferred to Abuja. He warned he will pursue legal action against those spreading “false information” online.

Police say the case has been transferred to the State CID for thorough investigation.

Source: Guardian Nigeria, Punch, Vanguard