Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reacted to the death of physiotherapist Mary Habila, who was found dead at a staff chalet within the premises of his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, insisting that there was no attempt to conceal the incident.
Umahi, in a video shared widely on social media, said Habila was a physiotherapist with the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital and was officially posted to the Federal Ministry of Works for duty.
He explained that Habila and another physiotherapist from the same institution were government workers attached to the ministry and were not visitors at his residence.
The minister dismissed allegations circulating online regarding the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, accusing some individuals of spreading false information and exploiting the incident.
He said legal steps had been taken against those he accused of deliberately distorting facts about the matter.
According to Umahi, Habila was discovered after she failed to respond to calls and knocks on her door. He said the door was eventually forced open, after which medical personnel were invited to provide assistance.
He added that efforts were made to revive her before she was taken to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Umahi said the incident was immediately reported to the police and the hospital by the deceased’s family, arguing that there was no secrecy surrounding the matter.
“I ordered that there must be an au
topsy,” the minister said, adding that the examination would determine the actual cause of Habila’s death.
The minister’s statement followed an affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court by Habila’s colleague, Anita Baaki, who provided details of the events leading to the discovery of the deceased.
Baaki said she travelled with Habila and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Works from Abuja to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, for an official assignment involving the minister.
She stated that the team stayed in adjoining rooms at a staff chalet within Umahi’s country home in Uburu, describing the facility as accommodation for ministry personnel and associates.
According to her account, she last saw Habila on the evening of June 26 after the deceased returned from making her hair. She said they spent some time together before Habila retired to her room.
Baaki said concern arose the following morning when Habila failed to leave her room and did not answer repeated phone calls. After knocks on the locked door received no response, staff members forced it open and found her unconscious.
She said Habila was immediately taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed she was dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a full investigation.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the investigation commenced after the Divisional Police Officer reported the incident to the Commissioner of Police.
The police confirmed that preliminary findings showed that Habila and another physiotherapist were members of t
he medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had travelled with him to Uburu, where she later died.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.