Family of Mary Habila Appeals to Police for Body Release

The family of late Mary Habila has written to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, asking for an order to release her body for burial.

The family’s lawyer, Kaile Yusuf, shared this news with reporters on Friday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He explained the family’s efforts to get Ms Habila’s body back.

Mr Yusuf said Ms Habila, who worked with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, died on 27 June in Ebonyi. Her body is still with the police.

He mentioned that the family has met all police requirements for the body’s release but has not gotten approval to bury her.

The lawyer also said the briefing was to clear up wrong information and false claims about Ms Habila’s job and character.

He stated that Ms Habila was a qualified nurse, not a physiotherapist, and she worked at David Umahi University of Health Sciences before joining the minister’s office.

Mr Yusuf said she had been with the minister for about three years and was still a civil servant, which he proved with her appointment letter and salary records.

He called the delay in releasing the body unfair. He also alleged that some people were trying to make the situation political.

The family has sent a petition to the IGP against the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, asking for the immediate release of the remains for burial.

Mr Yusuf said the family has turned down repeated requests for an autopsy. They cited personal, cultural, and traditional reasons for this decision.

He also dismissed claims questioning Ms Habila’s character, saying those claims are false and should not distract from the family’s request.

The petition also asks for the case to be transferred to the Force Headquarters. It calls for disciplinary action against officers who acted wrongly.

At the briefing, Ms Habila’s father, Tanko, made an emotional plea for the release of his daughter’s body. He said the family just wants to give her a proper burial.

He clarified that the family is not blaming anyone for her death. He mentioned that they had a good relationship with Ms Habila’s workplace before the incident.

A colleague, Anita Baki, described Ms Habila’s death as shocking. She clarified that Ms Habila was indeed a nurse and not a physiotherapist.

Ms Habila was reported dead at a private house owned by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Her body has been in police custody since then.

The family insists they have met all police requirements for the body’s release but are against an autopsy. They only want a respectful burial.