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Mary Habila

A physiotherapist and close colleague of late nurse Mary Habila has told the Ebonyi State High Court that she was the last known person to see Habila alive, detailing the events leading to the nurse’s death during an official assignment in Ebonyi State.

The account was contained in a sworn affidavit deposed to by Anita Baaki and filed before the court on Wednesday as police continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

Baaki stated that she and Habila travelled from Abuja to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Works for an official assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

According to the affidavit, the officials were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms at a staff chalet located within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area.

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Baaki clarified that the chalet was designated for ministry personnel and associates and was not the minister’s personal residence.

She told the court that she last saw Habila alive on the evening of June 26 after the nurse returned from having her hair styled.

According to Baaki, Habila briefly visited her room to show off her new hairstyle before the two colleagues chatted and joked together.

“Habila told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” Baaki stated in the affidavit.

The physiotherapist said she became alarmed the following morning when Habila failed to leave her room as expected.

She explained that repeated phone calls to Habila went unanswered, prompting her to knock on the room’s door. When there was no response and the door remained locked from the inside, she alerted a domestic staff member to help locate the nurse.

After Habila could not be found elsewhere on the premises, other staff members were informed and the room was forced open.

Baaki said Habila was discovered lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room.

She was immediately rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that she was dead on arrival.

Baaki maintained that her statement was made voluntarily and without any form of coercion to assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding the death.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the Minister of Works have requested that a comprehensive forensic autopsy be conducted to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death before her remains are released to her family for burial.

The case has attracted public attention, with investigators expected to rely on forensic findings and witness testimonies to establish the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.