Tanko Habila Wisdom, father of late Mary Habila, has filed an affidavit withdrawing further action in the investigation into his daughter’s death and rejecting an autopsy on her body.
The affidavit, sworn before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State on July 13, 2026, stated that Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Also read: Mary Habila death: Ebonyi Police insist on autopsy after physiotherapist dies at Umahi’s residence
Tanko Habila identified himself as the father of the deceased and said Mary worked with David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences before being seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.
According to the affidavit, Mary had served as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and members of his immediate staff for about three years before her death.
The document stated that Mary lived with the minister’s staff at official residences in Abuja and Ebonyi State as part of her work assignment.
Following her death, the affidavit said Senator Umahi requested that a post-mortem examination be conducted to determine the cause of death.
However, Tanko said the family opposed the procedure, despite supporting efforts to understand what happened.
“While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter’s body,” the affidavit stated.
Theautopsy dispute has attracted public attention following the circumstances surrounding her death and calls for clarity from investigators.
In the affidavit, Tanko said the family wanted Mary’s body and organs preserved and requested that the remains be released for burial.
“It is my family’s wish and humble appeal against medical and investigation protocols to leave her body and organs intact,” he stated.
The father also said he no longer wished to continue with the investigation and requested the release of his daughter’s remains.
“I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” he said.
Tanko further stated that the family did not suspect foul play and would not honour future invitations from the police or court regarding the matter.
“I will not honour subsequent invitation either to the Police or Court in respect of this case as my family is not suspecting any foul play,” he said.
He added that he was not influenced, pressured or induced by any person to make the declarations contained in the affidavit.
The development comes as police authorities continue to maintain that a post-mortem examination is necessary to establish the cause of Mary’s death.
The Ebonyi State Police Command previously said detectives had visited the scene, interviewed relevant persons and commenced investigations into the incident.
The command has maintained that the autopsy would provide important evidence for the inquiry, while assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and transparently.
Also read: Mary Habila death: Ebonyi Police insist on autopsy after physiotherapist dies at Umahi’s residence
Mary Habila’s death remains under investigation as authorities and the family hold different positions on the next steps in determining the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
