The family of Ms Mary Habila, the 26-year-old psychotherapist found Dead under questionable circumstances at the Ebonyi home of Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has rescinded its earlier plans to bury her without an autopsy.
In a statement titled, “Notice of Postponement of Burial,” and signed by Elisha Haruna for the family, he said,
“We wish to inform family, friends, and well-wishers that the burial ceremony of our beloved Daughter (Mary Habila) has been postponed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued support during this time.
“A new date for the burial will be communicated as soon as arrangements are finalized. Thank you for your prayers, understanding, and cooperation.”
Meanwhile her colleague with whom she travelled to the Minister’s home, Anita Baaki has testified in a deposition at the Ebonyi Court, Abuja, disclosing her account of the death.
Baaki, a physiotherapist friend and colleague of Habila, the nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, narrated their ordeal in a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday.
According to Baaki, a Benue citizen, she, Habila and other ministry officials from Abuja travelled to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, for an official assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Baaki disclosed that they were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the maintained that the chalet was designated for ministry staff and associates and was not the minister’s personal residence, stressing that she last saw Habila alive on the evening of June 26 after she returned from having her hair done.
She maintained Habila stopped by her room to show off her new hairstyle before they chatted and joked for a while.
“Habila told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” Baaki stated in the affidavit.
The physiotherapist said she became terrified the following morning when Habila did not come out of her room as expected, emphasising that repeated calls to Habila’s phone went unanswered, prompting her to knock on the door.
She revealed that when there was no response and the room remained locked from the inside, she alerted a domestic staff member to search the premises, noting that after Habila could not be found elsewhere, other staff members were informed and the room was forced open.
Baaki reiterated that Habila was found lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room, adding that she was immediately taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was dead on arrival.
The Minister has denied any involvement or cover-up and urged the Ebonyi Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation and autopsy to establish the true cause of Habila’s death.
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