Umahi Denies Cover-Up, Orders Autopsy in Nurse Habila Death

Minister of Works David Umahi has announced legal action against individuals circulating what he calls false reports regarding the death of a nurse, Mary Habila, at his compound in Ebonyi State. Speaking on Sunday, July 12, while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja Super Highway, Umahi denied allegations of secrecy surrounding the incident and outlined the sequence of events.

Umahi stated that Habila's family became concerned after being unable to contact her and subsequently forced open the door to her room. Medical personnel from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) were immediately summoned and transported her to the hospital, where attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. The minister said the matter was promptly reported to the police by the family. "The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?" Umahi asked.

He described Habila as a dedicated DUFUTH employee who had worked closely with him for three years, checking his medical vital signs. Umahi disclosed that he has directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death, pending the consent of Habila's parents, who are...