Police Insist on Autopsy After Woman Found Dead in Umahi's Residence
Nigerian police have ordered a post-mortem examination on Mary Habila, a nurse found dead at Minister David Umahi's residence, amid opposition from her family who plan to proceed with burial.
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Nigerian police have ordered a post-mortem examination on Mary Habila, a nurse found dead at the residence of Minister of Works David Umahi in Uburu, Ebonyi State. The Ebonyi State Police Command has engaged a pathologist to determine the cause of death, according to The Whistler and Peoples Gazette.
Habila was on secondment to the Ministry of Works at the time of her death. Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu confirmed the force’s determination to conduct the autopsy due to the sensitivity of the case, citing protocol in deaths occurring in high-profile settings.
Despite police directives, Habila’s family has rejected the post-mortem examination. According to Premium Times, the family has set Friday for her burial. The family’s decision conflicts with police requirements, which mandate an autopsy when circumstances surrounding death are unclear or potentially involve public figures.
"The police insist on carrying out an autopsy," Premium Times reported, underscoring institutional insistence on due process. The Whistler noted that the case has drawn public attention due to Umahi’s ministerial status, though no allegations of wrongdoing have been made. The family has not publicly stated their reasons for opposing the examination.
As of the latest reports, authorities have not released the body to the family, maintaining that the autopsy must precede burial. The standoff highlights tensions between state procedures and familial rights in death investigations.