What I know about Mary Habila’s death – Close friend

By Paul Dada

Anita Baaki, a physiotherapist and close friend of the late nurse Mary Habila, has provided a detailed account of the events leading up to Habila’s death in Ebonyi State.

She gave her testimony  in a sworn affidavit submitted before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

Baaki, who is  indigenuous to Benue State,  said that she travelled from Abuja to Ebonyi on June 24, 2026, alongside Habila and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Works for an official engagement under the supervision of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

According to her, members of the delegation were accommodated in adjoining rooms at a staff chalet located within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area. She clarified that the accommodation was reserved for ministry personnel and associates and was not the minister’s private residence.

Recounting the final hours before the tragedy, Baaki said she last met Habila on the evening of June 26 after the nurse returned from styling her hair.

The affidavit stated that Habila briefly visited Baaki’s room, where the two friends chatted and laughed 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.

Baaki said alarm bells rang the following morning when Habila failed to leave her room as expected. She attempted several phone calls without success before knocking on the door, but there was no response.

Realising the room was locked from the inside, she sought the assistance of a domestic worker to check whether Habila was elsewhere on the premises. When efforts to locate her proved unsuccessful, other staff members were alerted.

She said the room was eventually forced open, and Habila was discovered lying unconscious near the entrance.

She was rushed to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where medical personnel certified her dead on arrival.

Baaki stated that she made the affidavit of her own free will and without any form of pressure, adding that her intention was to assist investigators in uncovering the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.