Key Takeaways
- Nurse Mary Habila had been diagnosed with a hole in her heart and died following a cardiac arrest, according to her family.
- She was buried on Friday in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
- Minister David Umahi requested an autopsy; her family objected, and police later insisted on conducting one.
- SOKAPU has filed a N20 billion lawsuit against the minister over her death.
Family Speaks on Habila’s Health
The family of Mary Habila has said the 25-year-old nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had been living with a diagnosed heart condition. In a biography contained in her burial programme, the family revealed that Habila had a hole in her heart and remained hopeful despite her health challenges.
The family said Habila faced significant health challenges but carried herself with courage, faith, and quiet resilience. They noted that her condition later became critical despite medical treatment, prayers, and support from her loved ones. She subsequently died following a cardiac arrest.
The Incident and the Autopsy Dispute
Mary Habila died on June 27 at Umahi’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she was attached to the minister’s medical team. Her death generated widespread public interest, with many calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following her death, Umahi asked the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct an autopsy on her remains. The minister also requested that the remains not be released to the family until the post-mortem examination was completed, saying the procedure was necessary to establish the cause and circumstances of her death.
The family rejected the request, saying they did not want an autopsy performed on Habila’s remains. Despite that objection, the Ebonyi State Police Command said it would proceed with an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.
Legal Action and Community Reaction
In July, the Incorporated Trustees of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Associations (SOKAPU) filed a N20 billion suit against Umahi over Habila’s death. The group alleged a breach of duty of care while Habila was in the minister’s custody.
The suit adds legal pressure to a case already marked by disagreement over how Habila’s death should be investigated. The family’s account in her burial programme has now confirmed that Habila carried a pre-existing heart condition and died following a cardiac arrest. Her funeral was held on Friday in her hometown of Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Why This Matters
This case raises unresolved questions about the duty of care owed to medical personnel assigned to public officials, as well as the balance between a family’s wishes and official investigations. With a legal claim still pending and the autopsy controversy unresolved, the circumstances of Mary Habila’s death remain a matter of public interest.