The development comes after a series of exchanges between legal representatives of both parties, centered on disputes over whether an autopsy should be conducted and the appropriate jurisdiction for the investigation.

The body of Mary Habila, the young woman who died under controversial circumstances at the Uburu country home of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has been transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, amid escalating tensions over a proposed forensic autopsy.

The latest development follows a series of formal exchanges between legal representatives of both parties, centering on whether an autopsy should be conducted and the appropriate jurisdiction for the investigation.

In a letter dated July 17, 2026, Roy O. Nweze (SAN), counsel to Minister Umahi, wrote to K.I. Yusuf, lawyer to the deceased’s father, requesting confirmation within 48 hours on whether the family would consent to an autopsy.

In response, a letter dated July 20, 2026, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, confirmed that Habila’s family had agreed to the autopsy. However, the consent was conditional on the immediate transfer of the case to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Part of the letter reads:
“Without prejudice to our earlier correspondence dated July 17, 2026, and subsequent engagements with the solicitor to His Excellency, Senator (Engr.) David Nwaeze Umahi, our client hereby consents to an autopsy on the remains of the late Mary Habila.

“This consent is, however, subject to the transfer of the case to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, FCT, in the interest of transparency, fairness, and to ensure that the true cause and circumstances surrounding her death are conclusively established.”

The letter further emphasized the family’s demand for due process, stating that a proper inspection of the deceased’s body must be conducted before it is released to an independent pathologist.

“Our client also requests that the body of his daughter be thoroughly examined before being handed over, and that the case be officially transferred to Abuja to guarantee justice and fairness for all parties involved,” the statement added.

Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Habila’s remains were subsequently moved to the National Hospital in Abuja on Friday, signaling a critical step in the ongoing investigation.

Despite confirming that Mary Habila died at his residence, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has continued to insist on a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death — a position that has done little to quell growing public scrutiny surrounding the case.

The Ebonyi State Police Command had earlier maintained that a forensic examination was necessary before the body could be released for burial. This stance was backed by legal advice from the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), J.U. Chukwu, who stressed that a post-mortem would provide critical forensic evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding her sudden and unexplained death.

According to the DPP, preliminary findings indicated that Habila was “found lying lifeless on the floor of her apartment, naked, with blood stains on her nose and mouth.” He concluded that only a thorough autopsy could determine the true cause of death, while noting that the police ultimately retained discretion to either proceed with the examination or respect the family’s wishes.

The disagreement over the autopsy led to a prolonged standoff, forcing Habila’s family to indefinitely postpone her burial after authorities refused to release her body.

Her father, Wisdom Habila, has repeatedly appealed to authorities, maintaining that the family does not support an autopsy and is not alleging foul play.

“I don’t have much to say about this case. All I want is the body of my daughter,” he said during a recent public appeal.

“We cannot keep the body of a young child for this long. I am pleading once again — I just want to take my daughter home for burial.”

The family also formalized its opposition through an affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court, requesting that her remains be released intact for burial rites.

Umahi, however, has denied any wrongdoing and reiterated his support for a comprehensive forensic investigation, urging the public to allow due process to take its course.

As the controversy deepens, calls for an independent and transparent investigation have intensified, with many demanding a credible forensic process capable of establishing the cause of death beyond reasonable doubt.

Elumeziem Golden