A court has heard detailed and disturbing testimony regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of a detainee, Patrick Peresuodei, with a witness alleging abuse and neglect while in custody.
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During proceedings on Thursday, a witness identified as Henry Igwe, who described himself as a former inmate, told the court that PeresuodeI complained of breathing difficulties shortly before his death.
Igwe, led in evidence by defence counsel, said he first met PeresuodeI on January 15, 2026, at a detention facility identified as “Puff Adder,” where the deceased had been held alongside his brother, Destiny.
According to the witness, PeresuodeI told him he had been arrested over a social media post.
Claims of Ill-Treatment
The court heard that on January 19, Peresuode reportedly complained that he could not breathe while inside the cell.
Igwe alleged that a correctional officer, identified as Barnabas, later removed Peresuode from the cell and, during the process, subjected him to physical assault.
“He was shouting that he could not breathe. When the officer came in, he started beating him,” the witness told the court.
He further claimed that Peresuode was dragged between cells, handcuffed, and later taken out of sight, during which time other inmates reportedly heard screams.
Allegations of Violence and Neglect
The witness told the court that after some time, Peresuode was returned in a weakened state.
“The only thing that showed he was still alive was that his eyes were open, but he could not speak or respond,” Igwe said.
He added that by the following morning, other inmates reported that Peresuode was “lifeless.”
Attempts were allegedly made to revive him, but he did not respond.
Additional Claims Inside Facility
Igwe also made broader allegations about conditions in the detention facility, claiming that detainees were routinely chained and, in some cases, subjected to violence.
He further alleged that another detainee had died under similar circumstances weeks earlier, though this claim was not independently verified in court.
Cross-Examination
Under cross-examination, the witness acknowledged that he did not see everything that happened to Peresuode after he was taken out of his cell.
He also confirmed that some of his account was based on what he heard rather than directly observed.
Court Adjourns
Following the testimony, the presiding judge discharged the witness and adjourned the case to the next day for continuation of hearing.
