Court discovers fresh details in Patrick Peresuodei’s death, seeks further prosecution

Late Patrick Peresuodei
Late Patrick Peresuodei

By Etunim Ogunde

The Coroner’s Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ruled that the death of 24-year-old Patrick Peresuodei was caused by violent and unnatural circumstances, recommending further criminal investigations into the alleged involvement of personnel of the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In its verdict delivered on Friday, August 21, 2026, the court attributed Peresuodei’s death on January 29, 2026, to haemorrhagic shock resulting from multiple extensive and fatal blunt-force injuries, ruling out death from natural causes.
The court found that Peresuodei was arrested and taken into police custody on January 15, 2026, with injuries already present on his body, indicating that he had been assaulted before or during his transfer to the police.
It held that, on the balance of probabilities, the evidence established that he was seriously injured before arriving at the police facility.
On the alleged involvement of Mr Bodmas Kemepadei and his associates, the court found evidence linking Kemepadei and persons acting with him to the initial assault and injuries sustained by the deceased.
Although a video recording in which Peresuodei repeatedly mentioned Kemepadei’s name was presented as evidence, the court cautioned that the recording alone did not establish beyond reasonable doubt that Kemepadei personally inflicted the fatal injuries.
However, it found that Kemepadei played a role in initiating and participating in the arrest and transfer of the deceased to police custody.
Consequently, the court held that sufficient evidence existed to warrant further criminal investigation into his involvement and that of persons allegedly acting under his authority.
The court also examined the involvement of NSCDC personnel, finding that officers of the corps were present during the arrest of Peresuodei and the events preceding his transfer to the police.
It observed that the officers failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the circumstances in which the deceased sustained his initial injuries.
The court consequently found evidence indicating their participation in the assault before Peresuodei was handed over to the police, although the individual roles of the officers remained uncertain.
It therefore recommended further investigation into the conduct of the NSCDC officers involved in the arrest of Peresuodei and his younger brother, Destiny, before their transfer to police custody.
On the circumstances surrounding his detention, the court found that Peresuodei sustained further traumatic injuries while in police custody, which materially aggravated his condition and contributed significantly to the chain of events leading to his death.
In particular, the court noted that the evidence implicated the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Barnabas Eyoroere, in the custodial assault of the deceased.
It held that the evidence disclosed a prima facie case warranting further criminal investigation and prosecutorial consideration of the inspector’s alleged role in inflicting the injuries sustained by Peresuodei in custody.
The court also faulted the delay in securing appropriate medical attention for the deceased, describing the delay during the early part of his detention as inadequate and unjustifiable.
It consequently called for a review of procedures governing the treatment of injured detainees, stressing the need for prompt medical attention for persons brought into custody with visible injuries.
The court recommended that injured suspects should undergo prompt and independent medical assessments, irrespective of their willingness or reluctance to receive treatment.
It further advised that such suspects should, where appropriate, be granted bail promptly to enable them to obtain necessary medical care.
Beyond the immediate circumstances of Peresuodei’s death, the court called for an independent investigation into custodial practices in Bayelsa State, particularly the conditions under which detainees are held, the use of restraints and allegations of assault against persons in custody.
It also urged the Police to review its procedures for handling injured detainees and ensure greater accountability among officers.
The court further recommended that the relevant authorities consider administrative or disciplinary proceedings against any officer found to have breached applicable police or custodial regulations.
To facilitate further investigation, the court directed the preservation of electronic evidence, police custody records and relevant medical documents.
It also recommended additional forensic investigations and ordered that the complete records of the inquest, including exhibits and medical evidence, be transmitted to the appropriate investigating and prosecutorial authorities.
The court called for a prosecutorial review of the case, directing that, upon completion of further investigations, the case file should be forwarded to the appropriate prosecuting authority for an independent legal assessment to determine whether criminal charges should be instituted against any of the persons implicated.
However, the Coroner emphasised that the verdict did not amount to a criminal conviction of any individual.
It explained that questions of criminal responsibility, including the specific offences disclosed by the evidence and the guilt or otherwise of any suspect, remains within the jurisdiction of the appropriate prosecuting authorities and competent criminal courts.
It has been gathered that over two months after the Magistrate Obiri Baitimizimo Florizel passed the Coroner’s Court verdict seeking further prosecution of the case, the relevant authorities have yet to commence investigation.
Members of the public who have been following the case are urging the Coroner’s Court to release the Certified True Copy (CTC) of its verdict, delivered on August 21.
—GN