Mary Habila: Umahi says allegations are ‘politics taken too far’

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has denied any involvement in the death of Mary Habila, who died at his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, describing allegations linking him to the incident as “politics taken too far.

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Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi said the deceased was like a daughter to him, having lived and worked with his family for about three years. He clarified that Habila was a nurse employed by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, and not a physiotherapist as widely reported.
The minister disclosed that Habila had a history of medical challenges and had been receiving treatment at a Turkish Hospital, with him personally paying for her medical bills. He revealed that the latest treatment, carried out on April 5, cost him N2.2 million.
Umahi also recounted that shortly before her death, Habila spoke with her boyfriend on the phone and complained of bleeding from her nose. According to him, the boyfriend advised her to seek medical attention, but the conversation ended after she pleaded with him not to hang up. When he called back minutes later, she was no longer responding.
He explained that Habila had earlier informed her boyfriend that she intended to take a bath. When concerned colleagues could not reach her, they forced open her locked room and found her dead, with the water tap still running.
Insisting on his innocence, Umahi said the guest house where the incident occurred was separate from his personal residence and was used by medical personnel. He argued that it was unfair to hold him responsible simply because the death happened within premises linked to him.
The minister described Habila as one of his most dedicated workers and expressed deep sorrow over her death. He appealed to her family to permit an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, noting that he had instructed that her body should not be released for burial until the examination was conducted.
Umahi disclosed that the family had objected to an autopsy on cultural grounds, but said he had continued to insist on the procedure through his lawyers. He also revealed that he requested the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from Ebonyi State to Abuja to ensure a thorough and transparent probe.
He further claimed that Habila had experienced similar nosebleeds during previous official trips, including one in Lagos, and urged investigators to examine the phone records between her and her boyfriend to establish the details of their final conversation.
According to the minister, there was no indication of foul play, as another female occupant was in the room, the door was locked from inside, and it had to be broken open before Habila’s body was discovered.
Umahi also alleged that photographs circulating on social media were taken at the mortuary by police officers and leaked without proper handling, adding that he had directed his lawyers to take legal action against individuals and media organisations he accused of spreading false information and cyberbullying the deceased.
He reaffirmed his support for a comprehensive investigation, maintaining that he had no involvement in Habila’s death and urging the public to allow the facts to emerge through due process.