...As Court Rejects Natural Death Defense, Calls for Prosecution of Kemepadei, NSCDC Crew, and Inspector Barnabas

The Coroner’s Court sitting in Yenagoa on Friday, August 21, 2026, has delivered its verdict in the inquest into the death of 24-year-old Mr. Patrick Peresuodei, unraveling the circumstances surrounding his death on January 29, 2026.

After a careful consideration of the evidence presented and the circumstances surrounding the case, the Coroner’s Court ruled that Patrick’s death was violent and unnatural, and was caused by haemorrhagic shock resulting from multiple extensive and fatal blunt-force traumatic injuries. 

The Court rejected any suggestion that his death was caused by a natural disease.
The Court found that Patrick was taken into police custody on January 15, 2026, with pre-existing injuries, which it regarded as evidence of an initial assault. 

It held that, on the balance of probabilities, the evidence established that Patrick was assaulted before or during his transfer to police custody and that he was already seriously injured upon arrival.

On the alleged involvement of Mr. Bodmas Kemepadei and his associates, the Court found substantial evidence connecting Mr. Kemepadei and persons acting with him to the initial assault and injuries sustained by Patrick.

However, the Court held that the alleged video recording in which the deceased repeatedly mentioned Mr. Kemepadei’s name did not, in itself, establish beyond reasonable doubt that Mr. Kemepadei personally inflicted the fatal injuries.

The Court nevertheless found that the evidence was sufficient to establish that Mr. Kemepadei played a significant role in initiating and participating in the arrest and transfer of the deceased into police custody. It consequently held that there was substantial evidence warranting further criminal investigation into his role and that of persons acting under his authority.

On the involvement of personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Court found that the officers were present during Patrick’s arrest and the period preceding his transfer to police custody.

The Court noted that the evidence of the officers did not satisfactorily explain the circumstances in which Patrick sustained his initial injuries. It therefore found that the circumstances established their participation in Patrick’s assault before he was handed over to the police, although the individual roles of the officers remained uncertain.

The Coroner’s Court consequently called for further investigation into the conduct of the NSCDC officers who participated in the arrest of Patrick and his brother, Destiny Peresuodei, before their transfer to the police.

The Court further found, on the balance of probabilities, that Patrick sustained materially aggravating traumatic injuries while in police custody and that those injuries constituted a major part of the chain of events that ultimately led to his death.

In particular, the Court noted that the evidence implicated the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Barnabas Eyoroere, in the custodial assault of Patrick Peresuodei, which contributed to his death.

The Court therefore found that the evidence disclosed a prima facie case warranting criminal investigation and prosecutorial consideration regarding Inspector Barnabas Eyoroere’s alleged role in the infliction of injuries sustained by Patrick while in custody.

Addressing the medical treatment provided to Patrick while in police custody, the Court found that there was an inadequate and unjustifiable delay in efforts to secure appropriate medical treatment for him during the early part of his detention.

The Court consequently called for a review of procedures governing the treatment of injured detainees and urged relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate medical attention is provided promptly to persons brought into custody with injuries.

The Coroner’s Court, however, emphasized that its verdict did not amount to a criminal conviction of any person.

It explained that questions of criminal liability, including the precise offences disclosed by the evidence and the guilt or otherwise of any accused person, remained matters for the appropriate prosecuting authorities and competent criminal courts.

The Court consequently called for a prosecutorial review, directing that upon completion of the relevant investigations, the case file should be submitted to the appropriate prosecuting authority for an independent legal assessment to determine whether criminal charges should be instituted against any person.

The Court also recommended further forensic investigation, preservation of electronic evidence, preservation of police custody records, and the obtaining and preservation of relevant medical records to support any subsequent criminal investigation.

It further called for an independent investigation into custodial practices in Bayelsa State, with a view to ensuring a more effective and accountable custodial system.

The Court urged the relevant authorities to investigate the conditions under which Patrick was detained, including the use of restraints and allegations of assault against detainees.

The Nigeria Police Force was also called upon to review its procedures for dealing with injured detainees. The Court recommended that injured suspects brought into custody should undergo prompt and independent medical assessment, irrespective of their reluctance to receive treatment.

It further recommended that such injured suspects should, where appropriate, be promptly released on bail to enable them obtain necessary medical attention.

The Coroner also urged the relevant and competent authorities to consider whether administrative or disciplinary proceedings were warranted against any officer whose conduct was found to have breached applicable police or custodial procedures.

The Court finally ordered that the complete record of the inquest, together with the exhibits and medical evidence, be transmitted to the appropriate investigating and prosecutorial authorities for further action as may be warranted by law.