EXCLUSIVE(SaharaReporters): Naked Body of Mary Habila Discovered at Minister Umahi's Home, Police Probe Deepens

Reports from SaharaReporters indicate that Mary Habila, identified as the woman found deceased at the residence of Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, was discovered unclothed. Exclusive investigations by SaharaReporters on Sunday revealed that Habila, a physiotherapist, was reportedly found without clothing when her remains were taken from the minister's property.

Minister Umahi had previously acknowledged Habila's death at his Uburu, Ebonyi State home, stating she was a physiotherapist seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences. However, exclusive images obtained and verified by SaharaReporters showed Mary Habila's body was removed from the residence without clothing. Furthermore, police sources involved in the ongoing investigation have challenged the Minister's assertion that Habila and another woman, Mary Baski (also referred to as Anita Baski), were university staff seconded to his private residence.

These police sources allege that Habila and Baski travelled from Kaduna State, arriving at the minister's residence on June 26. Investigators suspect the two women were brought specifically to provide services to the minister. Tragically, Habila was found dead inside the property the following morning, with the exact circumstances surrounding her demise still under police scrutiny.

Further disclosures from police point to Jonathan Bawado, a police officer serving as Senator David Umahi's Personal Assistant and former Aide-de-Camp during his governorship, as the individual who arranged for the women's presence at the residence. Bawado was also reportedly the one who contacted medical staff after Habila was discovered unresponsive. Public questions have also arisen regarding the appropriateness of university hospital staff being seconded to the Works Minister's private residence without clear official justification.

In a statement released on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi expressed profound shock and sadness over Habila's "unfortunate" death. The statement detailed that emergency protocols were immediately activated post-incident, leading to prompt contact with medical professionals, including Professor Chihurumnanya Alo, the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu.

The minister also confirmed that the Nigerian police were swiftly informed, adhering to legal requirements. Umahi claimed to have personally met with Habila's parents, extending his condolences and recommending an autopsy to scientifically ascertain the cause of death, a suggestion he noted the family initially declined.

Mary Habila's death has garnered significant public attention due to reports questioning the conditions under which she died in Uburu, Ebonyi State, leading to widespread demands for a thorough and transparent investigation. SaharaReporters had previously reported on the mysterious nature of her demise within Minister Umahi's country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The incident has reportedly been kept under wraps, with both the Ebonyi State Government and the state police command remaining silent. Multiple police informants told SaharaReporters that the event occurred on June 27, 2026, just one day after Habila and another woman, Anita Baski, both originating from Kaduna State, were allegedly brought to the minister's residence.

This fatality has since prompted a police investigation, with the case being moved from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abakaliki.

According to police sources familiar with the inquiry, Habila and Baski arrived at the minister's residence on June 26, reportedly brought from Kaduna State to attend to the minister. However, Habila was discovered deceased inside the premises the following morning, under circumstances still being probed by investigators.

Sources further indicate that a doctor and an ambulance were dispatched to the residence, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Police Division, CSP Tobechukwu Godwin, was informed. Professor Chihurumnanya Alo, a Consultant Public Health Physician, Infectious Diseases Specialist, and Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, was also alerted about the incident.