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…‘I Spent N2.2m On Late Habila’s Sickness,’ Works Minister Reveals
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
This step, he said, would pave the way for an independent investigation into circumstances surrounding how Mary Habila, a 26-yearold physiotherapist died at the Uburu, Ebonyi State residence of the minister on June 27.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the Tinubu administration of failing “comprehensively and disgracefully” to give Nigerians answers about the circumstances surrounding the death of the female citizen.
Atiku said he followed the reports of Habila’s death “with deep sorrow and mounting concern” and extended condolences to the Habila family of Nok, Southern Kaduna.
He noted that for nearly two weeks after her passing, “neither the minister, nor the police, nor any arm of government said a word to the Nigerian people,” until media reports brought it to public attention.
According to the Ebonyi State Police Command, Habila and a colleague were part of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to Uburu, where she died in a room within the compound of his residence.
Police said they received a distress call on June 27 and that Habila was brought in dead to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
The Minister of Works has said an autopsy should be conducted. In statements issued by his aide, Francis Nwaze, Umahi said he received the news “with profound shock and sadness” and had advised the family to allow an autopsy to “scientifically establish the exact cause of death,” though the family initially declined.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, who has been embroiled in a controversy regarding the death of Mary Habila, said that the deceased was battling a strange illness to the extent that he personally paid over N2.2 million for her treatment.
Addressing newsmen on the issue in Abuja, the Minister said that the deceased had been battling health challenges and was receiving treatment at the Turkish Hospital, with all her medical expenses paid by him.
Providing details of the events leading to her death, Umahi said that Habila had spoken with her boyfriend shortly before she died and complained of a nosebleed.
He said the boyfriend advised her to seek immediate medical attention.
“The boyfriend called back about three minutes later, but she did not answer,” he said.
Umahi explained that after repeated attempts to reach her failed, her room was forced open and she was found dead.
The bathroom tap was still running after she had earlier informed her boyfriend that she was going to take a bath.
“The guest house where she stayed is nowhere near where I live. Does it mean that if someone dies in the Ministry of Works, the Minister must automatically be held responsible?” he asked.
The Minister admitted that the deceased was one of the medical personnel assigned to attend to him at both the guest house and his official residence in Asokoro, insisting there was no basis for the allegations being circulated.
Umahi also defended another medical staff member mentioned in a report, explaining that he had worked with her since his days as governor before securing federal employment.
According to the Minister, Habila’s family initially objected to an autopsy on cultural grounds, but he instructed his lawyers to insist on medical records, directing that her body should not be released until the examination is carried out. He said the matter had been reported to the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) with a request that the investigation be handled in Abuja.
Umahi appealed to the deceased’s family to co-operate with investigators by consenting to the autopsy, saying that it’s the best way to determine the actual cause of death.
He further directed investigators to obtain and analyse the call records of the deceased and her boyfriend, noting that their final conversation took place only minutes before her death.
The Minister also recalled that during an earlier official trip to Lagos, Habila had suffered another episode of nose bleeding and informed her boyfriend, who advised her to seek immediate medical attention.
Umahi described the loss as deeply painful, adding that Habila was one of his most dedicated staff members and would be difficult to replace. He urged Nigerians to refrain from spreading misinformation and allow the police investigation to run its course.
He maintained that all relevant medical records from the Turkish Hospital were available to assist investigators. Umahi dismissed allegations linking him to the incident, describing attempts to politicise the young woman’s death as unfair and misleading.
He acknowledged that Habila had lived with his family for three years and served as a nurse attached to his residence and guest house.
The Minister also debunked reports describing the deceased as a physiotherapist, clarifying that she was a nurse and a staff member of the Federal University of Health Sciences.
However, Habila’s family has petitioned the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, over the continued retention of her body by the Ebonyi State Police Command, asking that the investigation into her death be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja and that her remains be released for burial.
The petition, dated July 17, 2026, was submitted through the family’s solicitors, K.A. Yusuf & Associates, days after Habila’s father swore an affidavit opposing an autopsy and requesting that no further investigation be conducted.
In the petition addressed to the IGP, the lawyers alleged that despite repeated applications, personal visits and compliance with all lawful requirements, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police had continued to refuse to authorise the release of Habila’s body.
