Apostle Bodmas Petitions IGP Over Patrick Peresuodei’s Death, Seeks Transfer of Bayelsa Police Investigation to Abuja
Concerns over transparency and public trust have prompted a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, requesting that the investigation into the death of Mr. Patrick Peresuodei be transferred from the Bayelsa State Police Command to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The petition, dated February 10, 2026, was obtained by PulseNets and was filed on behalf of Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei by Arthur & Co., Legal Practitioners. The legal team, which engaged the services of a former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, is demanding justice for the late Peresuodei and calling for the constitution of an independent, high-powered panel of inquiry to ascertain the true cause of death.
Alleged Threats and Arrest
According to documents reviewed by PulseNets, the case stemmed from alleged threats made by the deceased against Apostle Bodmas on Facebook on December 21, 2025. In the social media post, Peresuodei allegedly threatened to “test an AK-47” on the cleric. The claim was reportedly accompanied by a video recorded in the Ijaw language. Copies of both the post and the video were attached as evidence in the petition.
Arthur & Co. further stated that on January 15, 2026, Mr. Peresuodei was arrested at his residence in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. PulseNets learnt that the arrest was carried out with the assistance of four Civil Defence Corps officers officially assigned to Apostle Bodmas. He was subsequently handed over to Operation Puff Adder, Yenagoa, alongside his younger brother, Destiny Peresuodei, who was later found not to be connected to the matter.
The petitioner reportedly made a formal statement to the police and was informed that the suspect would likely be arraigned on January 20, 2026.
Hospitalisation and Bail
However, developments reportedly shifted on January 20. PulseNets gathered that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) allegedly informed the petitioner that Peresuodei was behaving irrationally and had been rushed to hospital for medical attention. Apostle Bodmas was further told that administrative bail would be granted and that the suspect would return on January 26 for possible arraignment.
The petition claimed that communication between the petitioner, the police, and the suspect ceased until January 30, 2026, when news of Peresuodei’s death began circulating on social media platforms. Upon further inquiry, the IPO allegedly confirmed the death, according to the petition reviewed by PulseNets.
Demand for Independent Probe
Arthur & Co., in the petition, maintained that the death has generated widespread controversy across social media, with allegations suggesting police complicity, while counter-claims have attempted to name Apostle Bodmas as a principal suspect.
The legal practitioners argued that allowing the Bayelsa State Police Command to supervise the investigation would compromise public confidence, as officers of the command are already subjects of public suspicion.
“To guarantee independence, transparency and fairness, the investigation should not be led by the State Command.”
The petition urged the IGP to either transfer the case file to the Force Headquarters in Abuja or constitute a special investigative team to handle the matter.
Also Read: Patrick Peresuodei: Family Alleges Security Agencies Played a Role in His Death
The legal team stressed that granting the request would be critical to restoring confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and ensuring justice for the deceased and his family. They also reportedly assured that Apostle Bodmas is prepared to make himself available to investigators at any time to provide his account.
PulseNets learnt that copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Bayelsa State Attorney-General and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State, as public attention continues to intensify over the circumstances surrounding the controversial death of Mr. Patrick Peresuodei.
