Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bayelsa State Government has formally launched a coroner’s inquest into the death of 24‑year‑old Patrick Peresuodei, a young man whose death in January sparked public outrage, conflicting narratives, and urgent calls for justice. The inquest and a scheduled autopsy this Friday are part of state efforts to establish the full circumstances of his death amid allegations of torture, police brutality, and cover-ups that have drawn national attention.
Patrick, an indigene of the Amassoma community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, died on January 28 after developing severe breathing difficulties, a condition his family says resulted from injuries sustained following his arrest and detention. The incident, which began on January 15, started with a dispute linked to a social media post that reportedly led to his violent apprehension. Relatives and local advocates describe the arrest as extrajudicial, escalating into days of suffering for Patrick.
According to his younger brother, Destiny Peresuodei, the ordeal began when a local social media influencer, Bodmas Kemepadei, arrived at their family home accompanied by youths and four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Patrick was reportedly assaulted by Kemepadei and then further beaten by the NSCDC personnel. Both brothers were seized and detained for hours.
After the initial assault, the brothers were taken to Kemepadei’s residence where the violence continued before they were handed over to the Bayelsa State Police Command. Destiny said Patrick suffered worsening injuries during detention. When he briefly left Patrick in custody, he returned to find his brother incapacitated, unable to speak or move, prompting the family to urgently seek medical attention.
Patrick was eventually transferred from public hospitals in Bayelsa to tertiary facilities in Port Harcourt as his condition deteriorated. The family alleges that police failed to provide adequate medical care during his detention. Patrick ultimately died on January 28 despite treatment.
These allegations have been denied by the Bayelsa State Police Command, which claims bruises were visible on both brothers when they were brought in by security personnel responding to a potential threat posted on social media. The police maintain they conducted an investigation and took Patrick to a police clinic for examination before releasing both men to a family member. Key figures implicated in the initial assault, including Bodmas Kemepadei, remain at large.
In response to public pressure, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri directed the Attorney‑General and Commissioner for Justice to oversee an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Patrick’s death. Civil society groups and rights advocates have called for a transparent inquiry, emphasizing the need for impartiality given allegations against security operatives.
The coroner’s inquest is tasked with examining all evidence related to the death and determining the cause and manner of Patrick’s death. The autopsy scheduled for Friday will be central to establishing whether the death resulted from external violence, negligence, natural causes, or a combination of factors.
The inquest will hear testimony from law enforcement officers, medical personnel, family members, and other relevant witnesses. Government officials have stressed the importance of transparency and due process, balancing law enforcement interests with the family’s demand for justice and the public’s right to know.
The case has drawn national attention amid ongoing concerns about extrajudicial killings, police brutality, and institutional accountability. The coroner’s inquest is viewed as a test of the state government’s commitment to justice and may influence future reforms in how similar incidents are investigated and adjudicated. The autopsy and inquest proceedings are being closely monitored by legal experts, rights organisations, and local communities.
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