Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has addressed the public for the first time regarding the death of Miss Mary Habila, a nurse at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu.
Habila passed away on June 27, 2026, at a guest house located within the minister’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Umahi described the late nurse as “like a daughter” to him. “The lady in question was like a daughter to me. She had stayed with me for three years. She was a staff of the Federal Medical University. She was a nurse and not a physiotherapist,” he clarified.
Regarding the circumstances of her death, the minister explained that Habila and another female staff member were the only occupants of the guest house, which he noted was separate from his main residence.
According to Umahi, on the night of the incident, Habila spoke with her boyfriend and complained of nose bleeding.
He recounted that her boyfriend advised her to report the issue to her superior, then briefly ended the call to prevent further strain.
When he called back three minutes later, she was unresponsive. Her colleagues later forced the door open the following morning and discovered her deceased.
“When they broke the door, they found her dead. The tap was still running. I think she wanted to have her bath,” he said.
Umahi stated that he has requested an autopsy through his lawyers to determine the cause of death, noting that the family has thus far declined the procedure due to cultural reasons.
“We told our lawyer that autopsy should be done. We are begging the parents to allow it. They said it is against their culture,” he added.
The matter has been reported to the Inspector-General of Police, and the minister has requested that the investigation be transferred to Abuja. He also confirmed that he has directed that the body remain at the facility until an autopsy is performed.
The minister further disclosed that Habila had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed medical condition at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja, with his family covering the expenses.
He specifically mentioned a recent medical payment of approximately N2.2 million made on April 5, noting that the relevant records are available.
Expressing his frustration over the situation, Umahi criticized attempts to politicize the tragedy. “What baffles me is that everything becomes politics in this country. Must the minister be held responsible because somebody died in a guest house under the Ministry of Works? Is that how it works?” he questioned.
He concluded by stating that he has instructed his legal team to pursue action against those spreading what he termed as false information online, stating, “We are going to test the law on cyberbullying over this matter.”
