Questions Mount Over Death of Physiotherapist Inside Minister Umahi’s Home

Questions Mount Over Death of Physiotherapist Inside Minister Umahi’s Home.

The death of a young female physiotherapist inside the country home of Nigeria’s Minister of Works has thrown up more questions than answers, with police investigators now challenging aspects of the official account.

Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who reportedly worked for Minister David Umahi, died on June 27, 2026, at his residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The circumstances surrounding her death have since become a subject of public discussion and police investigation.

According to reports, Habila and another woman, Anita Baski, both from Kaduna State, arrived at the minister’s residence on June 26. The following morning, Habila was found unresponsive.

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Habila and Baski were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years, according to the minister’s office.

When Habila was found, medical personnel from the university’s teaching hospital were alerted, and an ambulance was dispatched to the residence. The Divisional Police Officer for Ohaozara Division was also notified.

Her body was later taken to a mortuary, and the case was transferred from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abakaliki for further investigation.

Minister Umahi has since confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate. Speaking while inspecting construction work along the Ebonyi section of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja superhighway, he dismissed claims that the death was shrouded in secrecy.

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The minister explained that it was Habila’s family members who became concerned after she failed to respond, forced open her door, and called doctors from the teaching hospital, who did everything to revive her without success.

“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” Umahi said. “The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” 

Umahi also stated that he had advised Habila’s parents to consent to an autopsy to determine the cause of death, though he claimed they initially declined . He has since reiterated his position that an autopsy must be conducted.

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The minister has also instructed his lawyers to take legal action against individuals circulating what he described as false reports about the incident.

However, police sources have reportedly disputed aspects of the minister’s account. According to some reports, investigators are examining allegations that Umahi left his country home shortly after Habila was found unresponsive, while aides arranged for an ambulance.

Police sources are also working to establish the exact sequence of events, including who was present at the residence and when emergency assistance was requested .

There are also questions about the role of Jonathan Bawado, a police officer serving as Umahi’s Personal Assistant and former ADC to the minister during his tenure as governor. Reports indicate that Bawado brought the two women from Kaduna to the residence. A human rights activist has called for this aspect to be properly investigated.

The case has drawn attention from various quarters. The Nigerian Women International Alliance has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure an independent, transparent, and credible investigation into Habila’s death.

The group stated that while it is not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, “the higher the public office, the greater the obligation to submit to transparent scrutiny” .

Questions being asked by members of the public include: why a minister would need physiotherapists at his village home, away from his office and any clinic, for three years; and why it took an investigative report by Sahara Reporters to bring the case to public attention nearly two weeks after the incident occurred.

The Ebonyi State Police Command has yet to issue a public statement on the cause of death or the status of their investigation.