A close friend and colleague of the late nurse, Mary Habila, has narrated the events leading to her death while on an official assignment in Ebonyi State.
The account was contained in a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday by Anita Baaki, a physiotherapist and fellow staff member.
Baaki said she and Habila travelled from Abuja to Ebonyi on June 24, 2026, alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Works for an assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
According to her, members of the delegation were lodged in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet located within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area. She clarified that the facility was designated for ministry personnel and associates and was not the minister’s personal residence.
Recounting their last interaction, Baaki said Habila returned on the evening of June 26 after having her hair done and stopped by her room before retiring for the night.
“Mary came to show me her new hairstyle. We chatted, laughed and joked for a while before she told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before going to bed. That was the last time I saw her alive,” she said.
Baaki explained that she became alarmed the following morning when Habila failed to come out of her room as expected.
“I repeatedly called her phone, but there was no response. I knocked on her door several times, yet no one answered. Since the room was locked from the inside, I alerted a domestic staff member to help check if she was elsewhere on the premises,” she stated.
She said that after efforts to locate Habila proved unsuccessful, other staff members were informed and the room was eventually forced open.
“We found Mary lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room. She was immediately rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was dead on arrival,” Baaki added.
She noted that her statement was made voluntarily to assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing the Minister of Works have requested a comprehensive forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death before her remains are released to her family for burial.
