Minister of Works, Umahi denies secrecy over nurse Mary Habila’s death, orders autopsy, and threatens legal action against purveyors of false reports.
Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed claims that the death of a nurse, Mary Habila, at his residence in Ebonyi State was shrouded in secrecy, saying the incident was promptly reported to the police and that an autopsy would be conducted with the consent of the deceased’s parents.
Umahi spoke on Sunday while inspecting work along the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway.
According to the minister, it was members of Habila’s family who forced open her room after becoming concerned about her welfare before doctors from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) rushed her to the hospital in an effort to save her life.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” Umahi said.
Rejecting allegations that the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death were concealed, the minister said the matter was immediately reported to law enforcement authorities.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
Umahi disclosed that he had directed that an autopsy be carried out to determine the cause of death, adding that the procedure would be conducted with the consent of Habila’s parents.
He also warned that legal action would be taken against individuals spreading what he described as false reports about the incident.
The minister said he had instructed his lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against those circulating the claims, insisting that the reports were misleading.
Umahi described the deceased as a dedicated employee of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital and said her parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State, would address journalists and also institute legal proceedings against those allegedly responsible for spreading falsehoods about her death.