“She was like a daughter to me” — Umahi on Mary Habila’s death

Minister of Works David Umahi has spoken publicly for the first time on Mary Habila’s death, describing her as “like a daughter” and giving a detailed account of her final hours.

Umahi Breaks Silence, Says Habila Was “Like a Daughter” to Him

According to Vanguard, Umahi clarified that Habila was a nurse, not a physiotherapist, who had worked with him for three years. He said she experienced nosebleeds on the night of her death while speaking with her boyfriend on the phone, and was later found dead by colleagues who forced open her locked room the next morning. Umahi said he has requested an autopsy, but the family declined for cultural reasons; he added that the matter has been reported to the Inspector-General of Police, with a request to transfer the investigation to Abuja. He also disclosed that his family paid for Habila’s medical treatment at a Turkish Hospital in Abuja, and said he plans legal action against those spreading false information online.