Lawyer Liborous Oshoma has clarified that under the Coroner’s System Laws and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the government holds the legal authority to probe sudden or unnatural deaths, regardless of a family’s wishes. This comes as the family of the late Mary Habila, a nurse who died at the residence of Minister David Umahi, continues to oppose an autopsy.
While Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, the deceased’s father, has requested the release of his daughter’s remains for burial, Oshoma argues that homicide inquiries are matters of state interest rather than private disputes. He noted that the police could potentially obtain a court order to perform a post-mortem if they deem it necessary for the investigation, preventing potential interference with evidence.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, led by Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has publicly supported the necessity of an autopsy to establish the truth. The association also criticized calls for Minister Umahi to step down, suggesting that such demands are premature and politically motivated.
Represented by their lawyer, Kaile Yusuf, the family submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, asserting that they have met all administrative requirements to reclaim the body. They maintain that the refusal of the Ebonyi State Police to release the remains is causing them significant distress, as they wish to proceed with traditional burial rites. The police have not yet issued an official response to the family’s petition.
