Police order autopsy for Mary Habila despite family objections

The Ebonyi State Police Command says it will hire a pathologist for an autopsy on Mary Habila, who died at Minister Dave Umahi’s residence.

The police in Ebonyi State have announced plans to hire a pathologist to carry out an autopsy on Mary Habila. The 27-year-old physiotherapist died at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on 27 June. She was brought dead to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital. The family has rejected an autopsy, but the police say it is necessary to establish the cause of death.

“Although the family had rejected an autopsy, the police will go ahead with it because of its necessity in establishing the actual cause of her death,” said Police Public Relations Officer Joshua Ukandu. The command has visited the scene, obtained statements, and transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation. The autopsy will support the ongoing inquiry.

The family’s rejection of an autopsy is unusual. In most cases, families demand autopsies to establish the cause of death. Here, the family is resisting. The police are insisting. The result is a case that continues to generate more questions than answers. The Minister of Works has not issued a statement. The hospital has not given a clear explanation. The death remains unexplained. The autopsy is the next step. But the outcome will depend on who is doing the autopsy and how independent they are.

Winners: The police (for ordering the autopsy), the public (which will get answers).

Losers: The family of Mary Habila, the reputation of the Minister of Works.

Bottom Line: The Mary Habila case is a test of whether Nigeria’s institutions can investigate power impartially. The autopsy is the first test.