The development followed an exchange of correspondence between lawyers representing the parties in the case over whether an autopsy should be conducted and where the investigation should be handled.
The body of Mary Habila, the young woman who died under controversial circumstances at the Uburu country home of Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, has been moved to the National Hospital, Abuja, amid growing controversy over the proposed forensic autopsy, SaharaReporters has learned.
The development followed an exchange of correspondence between lawyers representing the parties in the case over whether an autopsy should be conducted and where the investigation should be handled.
In a letter dated July 17, 2026, Roy O. Nweze (SAN), counsel to Minister Umahi, wrote to K.I. Yusuf, counsel to Mary Habila's father, requesting confirmation within 48 hours on whether his client consented to a proposed autopsy on the deceased.
Responding in a letter dated July 20, 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Yusuf conveyed his client's consent to the autopsy but stipulated that the investigation be transferred to Abuja.
