The family of Mary Habila, the nurse who died under mysterious circumstances at the Uburu country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has opposed plans by the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct an autopsy on her body.
The family’s refusal has emerged as a major twist in the investigation into the nurse’s death, raising concerns over efforts to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
WesternLifeNewsNG understands that in cases of sudden or unexplained deaths, especially those that occur in sensitive locations or involve public office holders, medical experts and investigators generally consider an autopsy a crucial step in establishing the true cause of death and dispelling speculation.
Announcing the development in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that despite the family’s position, the command still considers a post-mortem examination necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case.
According to him, the police have already concluded arrangements to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct the examination, adding that the command is awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their duly appointed representative, whose presence is required before the procedure can be carried out.
Preliminary police findings showed that the deceased and another medical professional were part of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu. She reportedly died in a room within the compound of the minister’s residence before she was rushed to the hospital.
The police spokesperson said detectives have visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons and commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
While the family’s decision not to consent to an autopsy is within their rights and may be influenced by religious, cultural or personal convictions, it could complicate efforts by investigators to establish the medical cause of death.
An expert who spoke with WesternLifeNewsNG disclosed that without a post-mortem examination, questions surrounding the circumstances of the nurse’s death may remain unresolved, making it more difficult for the police to reach definitive conclusions and for the public to have confidence in the outcome of the investigation.
