‘I Suspect No Foul Play’ – Dave Umahi Speaks on Mary Habila’s Death, Urges Family to Approve Autopsy

• Minister David Umahi says he does not suspect foul play in the death of Mary Habila, describing her as “like a daughter” and revealing she had been receiving medical treatment before her death.
• He has appealed to Habila’s family to approve a forensic autopsy, requested the transfer of the investigation to Abuja, and vowed legal action against those spreading what he described as false information.

Minister of Works David Umahi has broken his silence over the death of Mary Habila, insisting that he does not suspect any foul play while urging the deceased’s family to allow a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi described Habila as someone who was “like a daughter” to him, saying she had worked closely with him for about three years and enjoyed a close relationship with his family. He also clarified that Habila was a nurse attached to the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, and not a physiotherapist as previously reported.

According to the minister, Habila had been undergoing treatment at a Turkish hospital before her death, adding that he personally paid ₦2.2 million for her most recent medical care in April.

“She has her medical records in Turkish Hospital, being paid by us. The last one was on the 5th of April, and it cost me N2.2 million. The records are there. I paid N2.2 million,” he said.

Umahi also recounted what he described as Habila’s final moments, revealing that she was on a phone call with her boyfriend shortly before her death and complained of bleeding from her nose.

According to him, the boyfriend advised her to seek medical attention, but she reportedly said the bleeding had stopped and pleaded with him not to end the call. He said the boyfriend eventually disconnected, called back three minutes later, but she no longer responded.

The minister added that Habila had also told her boyfriend she intended to take a bath. When colleagues became concerned after she failed to come out of her room, the door was forced open and she was found dead, with the tap reportedly still running.

Appealing to Habila’s family, Umahi urged them to consent to a forensic autopsy, saying it was necessary to establish the true cause of death. He disclosed that he had directed that the body should not be released until the examination is carried out and also requested the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to Abuja.

Maintaining that he sees no indication of criminal activity, Umahi said the circumstances surrounding her death did not suggest foul play.

“I suspect no foul play because the other lady who stayed with her was sleeping in the same bed. Her room was still locked, and the door had to be broken before they discovered the body. The tap was still running because I think she was going to bathe,” he said.

He further claimed that Habila had experienced nosebleeds on previous occasions and asked investigators to examine the call records between her and her boyfriend as part of the ongoing investigation.

The minister also condemned attempts to politicise the incident because it occurred at a ministry guest house, insisting that the accommodation where Habila stayed was separate from his residence. He warned against spreading false information and disclosed that he had instructed his lawyers to take legal action against individuals he accused of cyberbullying and defamation.

Police investigations into Habila’s death are ongoing, while authorities continue to push for a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death.