Minister of Works, David Umahi, has confirmed that Mary Habila died inside his residence, describing her as his physiotherapist and urging Nigerians to allow law enforcement authorities and medical experts to conclude their investigations without interference.
The death of Habila has sparked widespread public concern following questions surrounding the circumstances under which she died at Umahi’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
ChroniclesReporters gathered that the incident occurred on June 27, 2026, barely 24 hours after Habila and another woman, Anita Baski, both said to be from Kaduna State, arrived at the minister’s residence.
The newspaper further gathered that the case has triggered a full-scale police investigation and was transferred from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abakaliki for a comprehensive probe.
Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that Habila and Baski arrived at the residence on June 26 and were reportedly brought from Kaduna State to attend to the minister. However, Habila was allegedly found dead inside the residence the following morning under circumstances investigators are yet to establish.
According to the sources, Jonathan Bawado, a police officer serving as Umahi’s Personal Assistant and a former Aide-de-Camp during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State, raised the alarm after Habila was discovered unresponsive.
Medical personnel and an ambulance were immediately dispatched to the residence, while the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Police Division, CSP Tobechukwu Godwin, was notified of the incident.
ChroniclesReporters gathered that Professor Chihurumnanya Alo, Consultant Public Health Physician, Infectious Diseases Specialist and Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, was also informed as authorities moved to respond to the incident.
The circumstances surrounding Habila’s death remain under investigation, with police expected to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, the case has continued to attract nationwide attention, with many Nigerians calling for a transparent, thorough and independent investigation.