By Queen Madaki
The father of late Miss Mary Habila, Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, has formally rejected plans to conduct an autopsy on his daughter’s remains and withdrawn from further investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Mr. Habila made his position known in an Affidavit of Withdrawal filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, where he appealed for the immediate release of his daughter’s body for burial without any further medical examination.
Miss Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences (DUFMS), died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Family Opposes Autopsy
According to the affidavit, the deceased had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she worked in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years before her death.
Mr. Habila stated that his daughter served as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works and members of his immediate staff, residing at the minister’s official guest house in Abuja and the staff quarters in Ebonyi State.
He acknowledged that the Minister of Works had requested a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death but said the family would not consent to the procedure.
“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter’s body,” the affidavit stated.
He added that the family’s wish is for Mary’s body to remain intact.
“It is my family’s wish and humble appeal, despite medical and investigative protocols, to leave her body and organs intact,” the affidavit further read.
Father Withdraws from Investigation
Mr. Habila also informed the court that the family no longer wishes to participate in any investigation into the death.
He requested the immediate release of the body for burial and declared that he would not honour any future invitations from the police or the court regarding the matter.
“I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial.”
He further stated that the family does not suspect any foul play in the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death.
Earlier Position of Police and Minister
Mary Habila died at the residence of the Minister of Works in Uburu, Ebonyi State, where she was serving as part of the minister’s immediate staff.
Following the incident, the Ebonyi State Police Command announced plans to engage a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination, maintaining that the procedure was necessary to establish the actual cause of death.
The family’s latest position contrasts with the earlier stance of both the police and the Minister of Works, who had supported an autopsy as part of the investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, the High Court in Ebonyi State had not ruled on the application seeking the release of Mary Habila’s body for burial.
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