The management of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, Ebonyi State, has instructed members of staff not to release any information relating to the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila without official authorisation, according to minutes of an internal management meeting obtained by SaharaReporters.
The directive was issued during a management meeting held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, amid heightened public interest in the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. The meeting came shortly after SaharaReporters published a series of investigative reports on the incident, which generated nationwide attention and renewed calls for a transparent investigation.
According to the minutes, highlights of the meeting were circulated to academic staff the following day, with the university’s management stressing the importance of protecting the institution’s reputation and ensuring that only designated officials communicate on sensitive matters involving the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of DUFUHS, Professor Jesse Uneke, was quoted as repeatedly reminding staff that the institution’s credibility remained one of its most valuable assets and should not be jeopardised through unauthorised disclosures.
According to the document, the Vice-Chancellor stated that “the integrity and reputation of DUFUHS remain priceless institutional assets which every staff member must consciously protect.”
He further cautioned employees against releasing information capable of creating misconceptions about the university or damaging its public image.
The minutes indicated that staff members were specifically warned against making unauthorised comments or releasing official information concerning university affairs.
“The Vice-Chancellor cautioned against the unauthorized release of official information capable of misrepresenting the University or undermining its corporate image,” the document stated.
Management also advised employees to rely solely on officially approved communication channels whenever information relating to the institution was required.
According to the meeting highlights, staff members were reminded that official statements could only be issued through offices legally empowered to speak on behalf of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor assured workers that the administration remained committed to openness in matters relating to staff welfare and official responsibilities while insisting that communication should follow established institutional procedures.
“He assured staff that his administration remains committed to transparency and would continue to make all information necessary for the effective discharge of official responsibilities and staff welfare readily available,” the minutes stated.
Sources familiar with the meeting told SaharaReporters that one of the major reasons for convening the session was to prevent unauthorised disclosures concerning the death of Mary Habila and to ensure that all public communication on the matter remained under the control of the university’s management.
According to the sources, university authorities became increasingly concerned about growing public scrutiny and extensive media coverage surrounding the incident and sought to prevent members of staff from making comments or releasing documents that might contradict the institution’s official position.
The directive followed SaharaReporters’ exclusive reports revealing that Habila died on June 27 at the residence of the Minister of Works in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Following those reports, Minister David Umahi publicly confirmed that the young woman died at his residence.
The minister stated that Habila was a physiotherapist who had been seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works as part of his medical team.
Umahi also disclosed that he had advised Habila’s family to permit a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death.
However, fresh developments have raised questions about aspects of the minister’s account.
The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) subsequently contradicted claims that Habila was a registered physiotherapist.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Team, the professional body said it conducted a verification exercise through the appropriate regulatory channels and found that Habila’s name did not appear in the national register of licensed physiotherapists.
The NSP said its findings indicated that she was not recognised as a registered member of the profession.
The development contradicted earlier claims by the minister’s aides that the deceased was serving as a physiotherapist attached to the Federal Ministry of Works.
Further questions emerged after sources within DUFUHS informed SaharaReporters that Habila was, in fact, employed as a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) rather than a physiotherapist.
The conflicting accounts have added to public interest in the case, with many Nigerians calling for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Habila’s burial has continued.
Last Thursday, the family announced the indefinite postponement of her funeral after police authorities refused to release her body pending the completion of an autopsy.
The burial had initially been scheduled to take place on Friday, July 17, in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement signed by Elisha Haruna on behalf of the family, relatives announced that the funeral arrangements had been suspended until further notice.
The postponement came shortly after the Ebonyi State Police Command reiterated that a post-mortem examination remained necessary to determine the true cause of Habila’s sudden death.
Investigators have maintained that an autopsy is essential to establishing the facts surrounding the incident despite objections raised by members of the deceased’s family.
Police authorities disclosed that Habila’s remains had not been released because investigators were still awaiting the attendance of her family or an authorised representative before proceeding with the forensic examination.
According to the command, detectives had already visited the scene of the incident, interviewed relevant witnesses and gathered preliminary evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police further stated that Habila had reportedly travelled to Uburu with the Minister of Works as part of his medical team before she died at the minister’s residence.
The insistence on conducting an autopsy also followed legal advice issued by the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. J.U. Chukwu.
In the legal opinion, the DPP stated that available evidence was insufficient to determine the cause of Habila’s sudden and unexplained death.
According to the document, investigators established that the deceased was found lying lifeless on the floor of her apartment while naked, with blood stains around her nose and mouth.
The legal advice concluded that only a post-mortem examination could provide investigators with scientific evidence capable of determining the exact cause of death.
Although the DPP advised that police possessed the legal discretion either to proceed with the autopsy or respect the wishes of the family, he maintained that a forensic examination remained the most reliable means of resolving the unanswered questions surrounding the incident.
Despite this recommendation, Habila’s father, Mr. Wisdom Habila, has repeatedly appealed to authorities to release his daughter’s remains for burial.
Speaking publicly last Friday, the grieving father said the family was not demanding an autopsy and had not accused anyone of responsibility for her death.
He explained that the family’s only concern was recovering the body to enable them conduct a dignified burial.
“I don’t have much to talk about in this case. All that I want is the corpse of my daughter,” he said.
“We don’t keep the body of a little child for so long like this. That is why I’m here to say once again and for all, I need the corpse of my daughter to take her for burial.”
He reiterated that the family had maintained its opposition to an autopsy.
The death of Mary Habila has continued to generate widespread public attention across Nigeria, with civil society organisations, professional groups and concerned citizens calling for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation.
Minister Umahi has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he personally requested a comprehensive autopsy to establish the exact cause of death and urging the public to allow investigators to complete their work without interference.
As the investigation continues, police authorities have yet to announce the official cause of Habila’s death, while the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident remain the subject of ongoing forensic and criminal inquiries.
