Anita Baaki, a close friend and colleague of the late nurse, Mary Habila, has given an account of the events leading up to Habila’s death in a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court.
Baaki, a physiotherapist from Benue State, said she travelled from Abuja to Ebonyi on June 24, 2026, alongside Habila and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Works for an official assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
According to the affidavit, the team was lodged in separate but adjoining rooms at a staff chalet located within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
She clarified that the chalet was reserved for ministry personnel and associates and was not the minister’s private residence.
Baaki said the last time she saw Habila was on the evening of June 26 after the nurse returned from getting her hair done.
She recalled that Habila visited her room to show off her new hairstyle before they spent some time chatting and joking together.
“Mary 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.
She explained that she became concerned the following morning when Habila did not leave her room as expected.
Baaki said several attempts to reach Habila by phone were unsuccessful. After repeatedly knocking on the locked door without any response, she informed a domestic staff member, who searched the surrounding premises.
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When Habila could not be located elsewhere, other members of staff were alerted and the room was eventually forced open.
Baaki said Habila was discovered lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room.
She was rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors later confirmed that she was dead on arrival.
Baaki stated that she made the affidavit willingly and without any form of pressure to assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Police investigations into the incident are continuing, while legal representatives of the Minister of Works have requested a comprehensive forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death before her body is released to her family for burial.