The mystery surrounding the controversial death of Mary Habila at the Uburu country home of Minister of Works, David Umahi, has taken a dramatic new turn as her body has been flown to Abuja for a forensic autopsy.
The development comes after a tense exchange of letters between lawyers representing Minister Umahi and the deceased’s family over whether an autopsy should be carried out and where the investigation should be conducted.
In a letter dated July 17, 2026, Roy O. Nweze (SAN), counsel to Minister Umahi, asked the family’s lawyer, K.I. Yusuf, to confirm within 48 hours whether Mary Habila’s father would consent to an autopsy.
Three days later, Yusuf replied in a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, saying the family had agreed to the autopsy—but only on the condition that the case be transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The family said the move was necessary to “quench the thirst of the general public” and ensure transparency, fairness and a conclusive determination of the true cause and manner of Mary Habila’s death.
They also demanded that the body be thoroughly inspected before being handed over to an independent pathologist and insisted that the investigation be moved to Abuja in the interest of justice.
Sources familiar with the case disclosed that Habila’s body was subsequently flown to Abuja on Friday and deposited at the National Hospital for a forensic examination.
The latest twist comes despite repeated appeals by Mary Habila’s father, Wisdom Habila, who had earlier pleaded with authorities to release his daughter’s remains, saying the family initially did not want an autopsy and was not accusing anyone of causing her death.
With the autopsy now set to take place in Abuja, attention is expected to shift to its outcome as Nigerians await answers over the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s controversial death.
