By Lizzy Chirkpi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has accused opposition politicians and social media commentators of politicising the death of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila, urging the public to allow investigators to determine the circumstances surrounding her death rather than engage in speculation.
Speaking publicly on the matter for the first time on Thursday, Umahi described Habila as someone “like a daughter,” saying she had worked closely with him for about three years as a dedicated medical staff member responsible for monitoring his health.
“The lady in question is like a daughter to me. She worked with me for about three years. She checked my vital signs and was a very dedicated staff,” the minister said.
Providing his account of the events preceding her death, Umahi disclosed that Habila had spoken with her boyfriend shortly before the incident and reportedly complained of bleeding from the nose.
“She spoke with her boyfriend at the hour of her death and complained that she was bleeding from the nose,” he said, adding that investigators should be allowed to establish the actual cause of death through scientific means.
The minister denied allegations of any attempt to conceal the incident, explaining that Habila’s relatives forced open her room after she failed to respond, while medical personnel from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) immediately evacuated her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
According to Umahi, the matter was promptly reported to the police, and he personally requested that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death.
“I have insisted from day one that an autopsy must be carried out. Let science determine what happened,” he said.
Umahi also criticised what he described as efforts by opposition figures and online commentators to link him to Habila’s death without evidence, warning that he would pursue legal action against those spreading what he called false and defamatory allegations.
“You don’t do content creation with somebody’s death. People are using this unfortunate incident to score cheap political points,” he said.
Habila, a nurse attached to the Federal Ministry of Works from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, died on June 27, 2026, while accompanying the minister to his country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State. Her death sparked public controversy following reports that she died at the minister’s residence, prompting calls from opposition parties and civil society organisations for an independent investigation.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the incident and has maintained that an autopsy is necessary to establish the cause of death, despite reports that members of Habila’s family initially expressed reservations about the procedure.
The outcome of the police investigation and autopsy is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.