The body of Mary Habila, the young woman whose death at the country home of Minister of Works, David Umahi, has been moved to Abuja for a forensic autopsy.
Politics Nigeria gathered that Habila’s remains were transferred from Ebonyi State to the Federal Capital Territory following consultations involving her family, legal representatives and relevant authorities handling the investigation.
The move followed a series of exchanges between lawyers representing the family of the deceased and counsel to the Minister of Works over the issue of a post-mortem examination.
In a correspondence addressed to the family, counsel to Umahi had sought clarification on whether they would consent to a forensic autopsy on the deceased.
The request was made as calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death continued to mount.
In response, the family, through its legal representative, agreed to the autopsy but attached conditions to the consent.
The family requested that the matter be handled in Abuja and that the investigation be transferred to the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in the Federal Capital Territory.
Part of the family’s position was contained in a letter which stated: “That our client hereby agrees and consent for an autopsy on the body of Late Mary Habila subject to the transfer of the case to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, FCT.”
The letter further stated that the decision was taken in the interest of transparency and fairness.
It added: “This is to quench the thirst of the General Public, for transparency, fairness and ensuring that the true cause and manner of the deceased death are conclusively established after all consultation with his extended family, clan, kinsmen, community leaders/stakeholders.”
The family also demanded access to inspect the body before it is handed over for examination.
“Our client further request that there shall be proper inspection of his daughter’s corpse before the dead body is being handed over to an independent pathologist and the matter be transferred to the Nigerian Police Head Quarters Abuja, for justice and fairness to all the parties involved,” the letter stated.
The transfer of the body to Abuja is expected to pave the way for the long-awaited forensic examination that investigators believe could provide answers regarding the cause of death.
However, the planned autopsy has continued to attract scrutiny from members of the public and interested observers.
Concerns have been raised over the need for a transparent process and the involvement of independent forensic experts whose findings would be widely accepted.
Many Nigerians following the case have called for a thorough and credible examination capable of resolving lingering questions surrounding Habila’s death.
The young woman died on June 27 at Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Since news of her death emerged, the incident has remained the subject of public discussion, particularly because of the circumstances under which she was reportedly found.
Earlier, authorities in Ebonyi State had insisted that a forensic autopsy was necessary before her body could be released for burial.
The position was based on legal advice that a post-mortem examination would be crucial in establishing the actual cause of death and providing investigators with scientific evidence.
The disagreement over the autopsy delayed burial plans and led to emotional appeals from the deceased’s family.
Her father, Wisdom Habila, had repeatedly called for the release of his daughter’s remains.
“I don’t have much to talk about in this case. All that I want is the corpse of my daughter,” he said.
“We don’t keep the body of a little child for so long like this. That is why I’m here to say once again and for all, I need the corpse of my daughter to take her for burial.”
The family had also approached the court seeking the release of the body without an autopsy.
For his part, Umahi has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that a comprehensive forensic examination is necessary to establish the exact cause of death.
The minister has repeatedly urged members of the public to allow investigators complete their work and avoid drawing conclusions before the outcome of the investigation.
