David Umahi, Minister of Works, has opened up about the circumstances surrounding the death of Mary Habila, the nurse who died at his residence last month.
Habila died in the country home of the minister in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27. Before her death, she worked at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi
Her death has sparked nationwide outrage, with many, particularly those on social media, calling for an open, independent investigation as concerns over cover-up and attempt to suppress evidence of what truly happened by security agencies and relevant authorities mount.
It was gathered that her parents were in Ebonyi state earlier in the week to collect the remains of their daughter, but they were denied access.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Umahi said rumours that he might have had a hand in the death of Habila are cruel and malicious, stating that the deceased had worked with him for three years and was like a daughter to him and his family.
“The lady in question is like a daughter to me. She stayed with me for three years. If we have a hand in the killing, it will backfire on our family. I’m a man of full grace for those tackling me,” he said
The Minister clarified that, contrary to initial reports, Habila was a nurse employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, and not a physiotherapist.
He disclosed that she had been receiving treatment for an underlying medical challenge at a Turkish hospital, adding that he personally footed her medical bills.
The Minister said before her death, she spoke with her boyfriend on the phone and complained of nose bleeding. He stated that her boyfriend told her she would end the call so that the bleeding would not get worse, and asked her to go to the hospital. When her boyfriend called back, she did not pick up.
“She spoke to her boyfriend around the time of her death. She was bleeding, so the boyfriend said he wouldn’t talk to her because it would increase the bleeding. He ended the call and called back after 3 minutes, and she did not pick up, and she had told him that she wanted to have her bath, that’s why they met her naked,” the minister said.
According to him, when there was no sign of Habila the next day, they had to break open the door to her room, where she was found motionless while the tap was running in the bathroom, indicating that she died while trying to take her bath.
He also warned those trying to politicise the matter and pin the death of the lady on him to tarnish his image to desist, lest they incur the wrath of his family.
Anita Baaki, a close friend and colleague of Habila, who was with her at the residence of the minister when she died, had earlier narrated the chain of events leading to her death.
In an affidavit sworn before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday, she recounted the final hours she spent with the deceased.
According to the document, Baaki travelled with Habila and other Ministry Staff from Abuja to Ebonyi on June 24, 2026, for official assignments.
They reportedly stayed in separate but adjoining rooms at a staff chalet situated within the minister’s country home.
Baaki disclosed that she last saw Habila alive on the evening of June 26, after the nurse had returned from having her hair done.
Habila was said to have visited Baaki’s room and complained of exhaustion.
“Mary told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” the affidavit read.
Baaki said she became concerned the following morning when Habila did not come out of her room as expected
