Umahi Denies Any Role in Death of Lady Found at His Ebonyi Residence

Minister of Works Engr David Umahi has denied any involvement in the death of Mary Habila, a nurse who died at his Ebonyi State residence.

Umahi is insisting that an autopsy must be conducted before her body is released for burial even against the wishes of her family.

He made the clarification on Thursday during a press conference, where he responded to questions from journalists and described allegations linking him to her death as politically motivated blackmail designed to damage his reputation.

"Anyone who accuses me of having any hands in the death of a lady I refer to as my daughter will face the wrath of God," he said.

The former Ebonyi State Governor described the circumstances surrounding Habila's death as being exploited by what he called evil-minded individuals making "ridiculous demands" to extort and tarnish his name.

Umahi said he had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and sought the transfer of the case to Abuja to ensure a thorough and independent investigation.

He was firm that the matter would not be buried alongside the deceased.

"Nobody will remove the corpse from the mortuary for burial until an autopsy is conducted," he said.

The minister acknowledged that Habila's family had objected to a post-mortem examination on religious grounds, but said their position would not override the need for a proper investigation.

He said preliminary accounts from the deceased's friend, as well as her medical records from a Turkish hospital, suggested she most likely died from a nose-bleeding complication.

Umahi also paid tribute to Habila, correcting what he described as inaccurate reporting about her professional background.

"It is even wrong to say she was a physiotherapist. She was a nurse, a committed staff, and she will be difficult to replace," he said.

The minister further announced that he had instructed his lawyers to file a cyber-stalking suit against an online platform he accused of defamation, adding that legal proceedings would commence after Habila's burial.

Habila died at the Works minister's Ebonyi residence in June, and her body has since been deposited in a mortuary.