Police want autopsy while family disagrees in Umahi aide's death

The Ebonyi State Police Command and the family of Mary Habila have clashed over plans for an autopsy after her death at the home of Minister of Works, David Umahi.

On Wednesday, police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu released a statement saying Ms Habila died on 27 June at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Uburu.

Ms Habila was part of the medical team working with Mr Umahi. She went with him to his hometown in Uburu, where she reportedly died in a room in his house.

Mr Ukandu explained that the Divisional Police Officer in Ohaozara got a distress call. They were told that Ms Habila had been brought dead to the hospital. The case was then moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Police said detectives visited the scene, took statements from relevant people, and started looking into how Ms Habila died.

But her family does not want any post-mortem examination to happen.

“The family of the deceased has, however, claimed that they do not want any autopsy performed on their daughter,” Mr Ukandu stated.

He added that the police think an autopsy is important because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to find out the real cause of death.

According to him, the police are waiting for the family or their representative to be present before the examination can take place.

Mr Ukandu promised the public that the investigation will be thorough, clear, and fair, and he said the command will share updates as the case moves forward.