TD This Dawn is in possession of a copy of the affidavit deposed to by Mr. Tanko Habila Wisdom, the father of Mary Habila, seeking to withdraw case. involving the Minister for Works, Senator David Umahi.
Mary Habila, it could be recalled, was found naked and lifeless in the residence of Senator Umahi, under mysterious circumstances.
Below is the full transcription of the affidavit documents:
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF EBONYI STATE
AFFIDAVIT OF WITHDRAWAL OF CASE
I, MR. TANKO HABILA WISDOM, male, adult, a Nigerian citizen of Sabon Gari Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, do hereby make oath and state as follows:
- That I am the deponent to this affidavit by virtue of which position I am conversant with the facts herein deposed.
- That late MARY HABILA was my daughter.
- That the said MARY HABILA, now deceased, died on the 27th day of June, 2026 at Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
- That before her death, she was a staff of David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi, Abuja, FCT, office of the Honourable Minister of Works for about three (3) years before her death.
- That I am aware that my late daughter served as a Personal Nurse to the Honourable Minister of Works and Minister’s immediate staff with whom she resided at Minister’s Guest House in Abuja and in Ebonyi State at Minister’s Staff Quarters.
- That following her death, the Honourable Minister of Works requested that an autopsy be conducted to ascertain the cause of her death.
- That while I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter’s body.
- That it is my family’s wish and humble appeal against medical and investigation protocols to leave her body and organs intact, hence this affidavit.
- That I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial.
- That I will not honour subsequent invitation either to the Police or Court in respect of this case as my family is not suspecting any foul play.
- That while reiterating our request for the Nigerian Police to release my daughter’s corpse for burial, I wish to state that I was never induced, coerced or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions, as everything deposed here reflects the sincere wishes of my family and I.
- That this affidavit is now needed for official and record purposes.
- That I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing its contents to be true and correct in accordance with the provisions of the Oaths Act 2004.
SWORN TO AT THE HIGH COURT REGISTRY, ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE DATED 13TH DAY OF JULY, 2026
BEFORE ME: ……………………………………………. COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS
See the attached documents below:
Lawyer’s Reaction
Reacting to the affidavit, however, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor noted that the effort may be futile if the police smells rat.
Barrister Ejimakor said: “As a lawyer, I can tell you for certain that this affidavit means nothing if the police have probable cause to suspect foul play in her death.
“In that case, an autopsy and coroner’s report are mandatory, as a matter of law.”
Read further details of the affidavit and the withdrawal below:
Mary Habila’s Family Opposes Autopsy, Seeks End to Investigation
