The Coroner’s Court sitting in Yenagoa on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, recalled the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Eyoroere Barnabas, to provide further clarification on alleged discrepancies, unclear details, and contentious issues surrounding the ongoing inquest into the death of Patrick Peresuodei.
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During the proceedings, Inspector Barnabas responded to questions regarding why the deceased was allegedly not taken to the hospital on January 16, 2026, despite what the court heard was a directive issued by the Commander of the Operation Puff Adder Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command.
According to the IPO, he approached Patrick Peresuodei and his brother, Destiny Peresuodei, to carry out the directive, but both allegedly declined to go to the hospital, insisting that they would only do so after their lawyer had visited them to witness the injuries they claimed were inflicted on them by Bodmas Kemepadei.
Inspector Barnabas told the court that the lawyer never appeared.
Addressing other issues raised during the hearing, the IPO denied allegations that Patrick Peresuodei was placed inside a cell on January 19, 2026. He maintained that the deceased remained at the counter area of the facility and described contrary claims as fabricated.
The witness explained that his only interaction with the deceased on January 19 occurred when Patrick allegedly complained of persistent pains resulting from injuries reportedly sustained during an assault by Mr. Kemepadei and his associates.
Giving further details on the events of January 20, 2026, Inspector Barnabas stated that Patrick collapsed while attempting to use the toilet. He told the court that between 6:30 a.m. and 6:40 a.m., the deceased requested permission to ease himself, prompting him to instruct the officer on duty to open the cell.
According to the IPO, Patrick collapsed while walking toward the toilet, after which inmates were directed to bring him out. He said that when asked what caused the collapse, the deceased reportedly attributed it to severe body pains that had left him unable to walk properly.
The court also heard that Destiny Peresuodei was present at the corridor leading to the cell at the time of the incident. Inspector Barnabas stated that Destiny and another detainee identified as Tamarakuro Ogele were among those instructed to assist in carrying Patrick out of the cell.
The IPO added that Patrick was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention.
He further testified that both Patrick and Destiny were initially kept at the corridor area from the day they were brought to the station. However, he noted that Patrick was later moved to the counter on January 16 following an altercation with other inmates, where he allegedly remained until January 20, when he was eventually taken to the hospital.
Inspector Barnabas also denied claims that the deceased was handcuffed at any point during detention. He maintained that Patrick was not moved from the counter area between January 15 and January 20, except for the hospital visit.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the brothers’ arrival at the station on January 15, 2026, Inspector Barnabas told the court that they were brought in by Mr. Kemepadei and his associates with their hands and legs tied with pieces of cloth.
He further stated that he observed injuries on Patrick, including wounds on the head and hands, as well as bruises on the knees and legs. According to him, visible strain marks on the brothers’ wrists and ankles suggested that the restraints had been tightly fastened.
The witness also disclosed that while Patrick and Destiny initially made statements on January 15, Destiny later made additional entries to his statement on January 20 at about 4:00 p.m., alleging that they had been assaulted by Mr. Kemepadei and his security personnel.
Inspector Barnabas stated that it was after Destiny made the additional statement that he contacted their uncle to arrange for their bail.
In what emerged as a major development during the hearing, the court admitted as evidence a WhatsApp conversation between Inspector Barnabas and Mr. Kemepadei, alongside a transfer receipt showing an alleged payment of Fifty Thousand Naira made by Mr. Kemepadei to the IPO at about 4:55 p.m. on January 20, 2026.
The payment, reportedly requested for Patrick’s medical treatment, appeared to contradict the IPO’s earlier claim that his commander had provided funds for the deceased’s treatment after efforts to get Mr. Kemepadei to cover the expenses proved unsuccessful.
Responding to the discrepancy, Inspector Barnabas told the court that he could not clearly remember whether Mr. Kemepadei transferred the money to him, noting that his commander had also sent money to his account on the same day.
He, however, admitted that on January 15, when Mr. Kemepadei brought the brothers to the station, he requested Fifty Thousand Naira to facilitate police investigations into the matter, including fueling a vehicle for a planned search operation at Amassoma for an AK-47 rifle allegedly used to threaten Mr. Kemepadei.
Inspector Barnabas further denied allegations that he physically assaulted the deceased.
Following the testimony, the court adjourned proceedings to Friday, May 8, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
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