The relatives of the late Mary Habila have formally petitioned Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu regarding the Ebonyi State Police Command’s refusal to release her remains. Represented by K.A. Yusuf & Associates in a July 17, 2026, document, the family is demanding both the return of the body for funeral arrangements and the relocation of the investigation to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Mary Habila, who worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was on assignment at the Federal Ministry of Works, passed away on June 27, 2026. Since then, the police have kept her body in a mortuary. Her family contends that this prolonged delay is causing them significant emotional and financial distress while preventing them from performing religious burial rites.
Previously, Habila’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, filed an affidavit on July 13 stating that the family does not suspect foul play and has declined an autopsy. Despite this, the Ebonyi State Police Command remains adamant about continuing its inquiry. Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu confirmed that the matter is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department to determine the circumstances surrounding her death, which occurred at the residence of Works Minister David Umahi.
The family’s lawyers argue that detaining the corpse without sufficient justification violates human dignity and are calling on the IGP to investigate any officers who may have acted improperly in this case.
