Family of Late Nurse Mary Habila Petitions IGP, Demands Immediate Release of Her Body for Burial

The family of Miss Mary Habila, the young nurse who died under controversial circumstances while attached to the medical team of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the immediate release of her remains for burial.

The petition was submitted at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, July 17, as the grieving family expressed frustration over what they described as the prolonged withholding of their daughter’s body by the Ebonyi State Police Command, nearly two weeks after her death.

Leading the family to the police headquarters was Tanko Habila, the father of the deceased, accompanied by his wife, other relatives and members of their legal team.

Addressing journalists shortly after filing the petition, the family, through their lawyer, said they were devastated by the continued delay in releasing Mary Habila’s remains, insisting that the family should be allowed to bury their daughter according to their tradition and religious beliefs.

According to the lawyer, the family is not demanding an autopsy and has no objection to the ongoing police investigation, but believes that there is no justification for keeping the deceased’s body in the mortuary indefinitely.

He maintained that the family only wants the remains of their daughter returned to them so she can be given a dignified burial.

“As we are standing here, somebody can fall and die. It has happened. All we want is her body to be buried,” the lawyer quoted Mr Tanko Habila as saying while speaking to journalists outside the Force Headquarters.

The petition marks a new development in a case that has continued to attract national attention since Mary Habila died on June 27 at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister of Works.

The late nurse was reportedly an employee of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) and had been attached to the minister’s medical team before her sudden death.

While the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, the incident has generated widespread public interest, with many Nigerians demanding a transparent investigation to determine what truly happened.

However, as the family pushes for the release of her body, the Minister of Works has taken a different position.

Through his lawyer, Roy Nwaeze, Senator David Umahi formally wrote to the Ebonyi State Police Command requesting that Mary Habila’s remains should not be released until a comprehensive post-mortem examination has been conducted.

In the letter, the minister argued that an autopsy is necessary to scientifically establish the actual cause of death and eliminate speculation surrounding the incident.

According to the minister’s legal representative, conducting an autopsy would not only assist investigators but also ensure that any future conclusions regarding the case are based on medical evidence rather than assumptions.

The minister reportedly urged the police to preserve the body until qualified pathologists complete the examination.

This request has effectively placed the police in a difficult position, balancing the family’s demand for immediate burial against the need to preserve evidence in an investigation that continues to draw significant public attention.

Legal analysts note that in cases involving sudden or unexplained deaths, police authorities often retain custody of the body pending investigations, particularly where there are requests for forensic examinations.

However, they also acknowledge that families have cultural, religious and emotional interests in burying loved ones without unnecessary delays.

The disagreement over whether an autopsy should be conducted has therefore become one of the central issues in the case.

While the Habila family insists they do not require a post-mortem examination, the minister maintains that an autopsy is essential in the interest of justice and transparency.

Observers say the final decision may ultimately depend on the police and, if necessary, the courts should both parties fail to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, several civil society organisations and members of the public have continued calling for an independent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death.

Many believe establishing the true cause of death is necessary not only to provide answers to her family but also to reassure the public that justice will be served where necessary.

As investigations continue, attention has now shifted to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police following the family’s petition.

It remains unclear whether the IGP will intervene directly in the matter or allow the Ebonyi State Police Command to continue handling the investigation.

For the Habila family, however, their immediate concern remains unchanged.

They insist that after nearly two weeks of mourning, they simply want the remains of their daughter returned so they can lay her to rest with dignity while awaiting the outcome of any official investigation.

The case continues to attract nationwide attention as Nigerians await further developments from both the Nigeria Police Force and the Ebonyi State authorities.