# Nigeria ministerial death investigation intensifies > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-ministerial-death-investigation > Updated: 2026-08-03T19:00:00.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 7. The death of 26‑year‑old nurse Mary Habila on 27 June 2026 at a guest house owned by Works Minister David Umahi in Ebonyi State remains under investigation. The family has refused an autopsy on cultural grounds and postponed burial to 17 July, while police transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department and sought court permission for a post‑mortem. Minister Umahi has repeatedly urged an autopsy, describing Habila as “like a daughter” and denying any foul play. He appealed for the public to refrain from speculation and for the family’s consent to a forensic examination. The police have engaged a pathologist and announced plans to withhold the body until an autopsy is completed, prompting a petition by the family’s lawyer to the Inspector‑General of Police for immediate release of the remains. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress have called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend Umahi pending an independent probe, recommending transfer of the inquiry to the Federal Police Headquarters and protection for the victim’s family from intimidation. Civil‑society groups, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (which later clarified Habila was not on its register), and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, have demanded a transparent, credible investigation. On 25 July, the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Associations (SOKAPU) filed a Federal High Court suit in Kaduna seeking ₦20 billion in damages from Umahi, his father, the Ebonyi Attorney‑General and the state Police Commissioner, and requesting an independent autopsy by experts from ABU Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital Ibadan and the National Hospital Abuja. Human‑rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN, on 3 August, urged the federal government and the Inspector‑General of Police to take over the probe, criticizing delays and calling for a swift autopsy. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Femi Falana Calls for Probe into Mary Habila Death in Nigeria Human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged Nigeria’s government and police to investigate the June 27 death of Mary Habila, a domestic worker of Minister Dave Umahi, demanding a swift autopsy and transparent probe. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/femi-falana-calls-for-probe-into-mary-habila-death-in-nigeria ### 2026-07-29: Nigeria's Umahi Threatens SOKAPU Over Mary Habila Death Suit Nigeria’s Minister of Works David Umahi allegedly threatened SOKAPU leader Tabara Kato after the union filed a ₦20 bn suit demanding an independent autopsy and investigation into physiotherapist Mary Habila’s 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerias-umahi-threatens-sokapu-over-mary-habila-death-suit ### 2026-07-25: Nigeria: SOKAPU sues Minister Umahi over nurse Mary Habila's death SOKAPU sued Minister of Works David Umahi in Kaduna High Court, seeking ₦20 billion over the June 27 death of nurse Mary Habila at his Ebonyi residence, demanding an independent autopsy and police investigation 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-sokapu-sues-minister-umahi-over-nurse-mary-habilas-death ### 2026-07-17: Mary Habila’s Body Remains in Police Custody as Family Seeks Release and Autopsy Rejection in Nigeria Nurse Mary Habila died at Minister David Umahi’s home; her family petitions the IGP to release the body and rejects an autopsy, while the minister denies foul play. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-minister-david-umahi-addresses-nurse-mary-habilas-death ### 2026-07-16: Atiku Urges Suspension of Nigeria's Works Minister Over Nurse's Death ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar urged President Tinubu to suspend Works Minister David Umahi and order an independent probe and autopsy into the death of 26‑year‑old nurse Mary Habila at Umahi’s Ebony 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atiku-urges-suspension-of-nigerias-works-minister-over-nurses-death ### 2026-07-14: Minister David Umahi Faces Calls for Autopsy and Suspension After Staff Death Mary Habila died at Minister David Umahi’s residence; police seek autopsy, family opposes, opposition and NGOs demand independent probe and Umahi’s suspension. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/physiotherapist-mary-habila-dies-at-nigerian-minister-dave-umahis-residence ### 2026-07-11: Nigeria Works Minister David Umahi Urges Autopsy After Physiotherapist's Death Nigeria's Works Minister David Umahi called for an autopsy after physiotherapist Mary Habila died at his Ebonyi State home; the family refused, and officials urged no speculation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-works-minister-david-umahi-urges-autopsy-after-physiotherapists-death --- Cite as: Nigeria ministerial death investigation intensifies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-ministerial-death-investigation