Police Seek Autopsy in Nurse’s Death at Umahi’s Residence Despite Family’s Objection

Police Seek Autopsy in Nurse’s Death at Umahi’s Residence Despite Family’s Objection

The Ebonyi State Police Command says it is proceeding with plans to conduct an autopsy on Mary Habila, the nurse who died at the residence of David Umahi, minister of works, despite the deceased’s family objecting to the procedure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi, said the command considers a post-mortem examination necessary to establish the exact cause of death, given the sensitive nature of the case.

Ukandu said the divisional police officer (DPO) of Ohaozara division received a distress call on June 27, requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu over a medical emergency.

According to him, hospital authorities informed the police that Habila had been brought to the facility dead.

Preliminary investigations, he said, revealed that the deceased and another nurse were members of the medical team attached to the minister and had accompanied him to his hometown of Uburu. Habila reportedly died in a room within the compound of Umahi's residence in Umunaga, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Ukandu said detectives have visited the scene, taken statements from relevant persons, and commenced a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

"The Command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry," the statement said.

He, however, disclosed that Habila's family had informed the police that they did not want an autopsy performed on their daughter.

Despite the family's position, the police maintained that the examination is critical to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation.

"The Command nonetheless considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death," Ukandu said.

He added that the police are awaiting the attendance of the deceased's family or a duly appointed representative, whose presence is required before the post-mortem examination can be carried out.

The death of the nurse has attracted public attention following reports that she died at the minister's residence. Umahi has since dismissed allegations that the circumstances surrounding her death were being concealed, insisting there was no attempt to cover up the incident.