The family of Mary Habila, the 25-year-old nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said she had been diagnosed with a hole in her heart and died following a cardiac arrest.
Habila was buried on Friday in her hometown of Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a brief biography contained in her burial programme, the family said Habila had lived with the heart condition and remained hopeful despite her health challenges.
“Mary Habila lived with a heart condition, having been diagnosed with a hole in her heart. Though she faced significant health challenges, she carried herself with courage, faith, and quiet resilience,” the family said.
According to the family, Habila’s condition later became critical despite medical treatment, prayers and support from her loved ones.
It said she subsequently died following a cardiac arrest.
“Though her life was cut short, Mary will always be remembered for her strength in the face of adversity, the love she shared, and the lasting impact she made on everyone blessed to know her,” the family said.
Habila died on June 27 at Umahi’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she was attached to the minister’s medical team.
Her death generated public interest, with calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following her death, Umahi asked the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct an autopsy on Habila’s remains.
The minister also requested that the remains not be released to the family until the post-mortem examination was completed, saying the procedure was necessary to establish the cause and circumstances of her death.
The family, however, rejected the request, saying it did not want an autopsy conducted on Habila’s remains.
The Ebonyi State Police Command subsequently said it would conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death despite the family’s objection.
In July, the Incorporated Trustees of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Associations (SOKAPU) filed a N20 billion suit against Umahi over Habila’s death.
SOKAPU alleged a breach of duty of care while Habila was in the minister’s custody.
The family’s account in her burial programme has now stated that Habila had a pre-existing heart condition and died following a cardiac arrest.
