Mary was a qualified nurse, not a physiotherapist.

  • Mr Kaile Yusuf, family's lawyer

The family of late Mary Habila has been struggling to lay her to rest. Mary Habila, a staff member attached to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, died on June 27th in Ebonyi State. Her remains have been in police custody ever since.

The family's lawyer, Mr Kaile Yusuf, disclosed this while briefing reporters at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. According to him, the family had fulfilled all police requirements for the body's release but were yet to receive approval to proceed with burial.

Mr Yusuf said the family rejected repeated requests for an autopsy, citing personal, cultural, and traditional reasons. He alleged that unnamed persons were trying to politicise the matter, thereby withholding the body unjustly.

The lawyer stated that the family petitioned the IGP against the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, seeking the immediate release of the remains for burial. He dismissed allegations questioning Ms Habila's character, insisting such claims were false and should not distract from the family's request.

Mr Yusuf said the petition sought the transfer of the matter to the Force Headquarters and disciplinary action against officers found to have acted unlawfully. 'The family petitioned the IGP against the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, seeking immediate release of the remains for burial,' he said.

Mr Habila's father, Tanko, also made an appeal for the immediate release of his daughter's body. He said the family only wanted to give her a befitting burial. 'We are not accusing anyone over my daughter's death and we have cordial relations with her workplace,' he stated.

Anita Baki, a colleague of Ms Habila, described her as a dedicated worker. 'She was a physiotherapist and we worked together at David Umahi University of Health Sciences,' Ms Baki said.

According to Mr Yusuf, Ms Habila worked with the Minister for about three years and remained a civil servant, supported by her appointment letter and salary records.

The family said they had complied with police requirements for the body's release but only wanted a dignified burial. They opposed an autopsy on personal, cultural, and traditional grounds.

David Umahi University of Health Sciences, where Ms Habila worked before her deployment to the minister's office, is one of the largest medical schools in the country.

The university has a staff strength of over 500 and a student population of over 2,000. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields of medicine.

Mr Kaile Yusuf said the family would continue to push for the release of the body, adding that they would also seek justice for their loved one.

'I want to assure the public that the family will not rest until they have given Mary a befitting burial,' he said.