Death of Patrick Peresuodei: Shocking Testimony Emerges at Bayelsa Coroner’s Inquest
Proceedings have commenced at the Coroner’s Court in Yenagoa as the first witness testified in the ongoing inquest into the death of 24-year-old Patrick Peresuodei.
PulseNets reported that the court, presided over by Magistrate Obiri Baitimizimo Florizel, sitting at the Multidoor Courthouse within the Bayelsa State Judiciary Complex, heard detailed testimony on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from Mr. Destiny Peresuodei, elder brother of the deceased.
While testifying, the witness told PulseNets that he and his late brother were allegedly abducted on January 15, 2026, from their father’s residence in Amassoma Community by one Mr. Bodmas Kemepadei alongside four officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). He explained that they were subsequently conveyed to Mr. Kemepadei’s residence at Tenacious, Edepie, Yenagoa.
In his account before the court, Mr. Peresuodei stated that upon arrival at the location, they were physically assaulted by Mr. Kemepadei and a group of approximately seven to ten individuals. He alleged that the attackers inflicted severe injuries, including blows to the head, and flogged them with a machete following instructions from Mr. Kemepadei.
PulseNets learnt from the testimony that after about one hour and thirty minutes of the alleged assault, both victims were restrained and transported in a vehicle, accompanied by NSCDC officers, to the Operation Puff Adder unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command.
The witness further disclosed that they remained in police custody for nearly two days before their whereabouts were traced by their sister, Miss Pretty Peresuodei, alongside their uncle, Mr. Charles Edure, who began moves to secure their release.
Providing further details, he recounted that on January 20, 2026, he was taken out of the cell between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. by an individual identified as Mr. Barnabas to write a statement. He noted that upon returning about two hours later, he discovered his brother was no longer in the cell. According to him, a fellow detainee informed him that Patrick had been taken away by police officers.
He added that Patrick was later brought back into the cell in a severely deteriorated condition, describing him as unresponsive, barely breathing, and unable to speak or move.
PulseNets obtained that their uncle, Mr. Charles Edure, who was present at the time, immediately facilitated their transfer to the General Hospital in Amassoma, where Patrick was admitted for emergency medical attention. He remained in critical condition and only managed to regain limited speech the following day.
Continuing his testimony, Mr. Peresuodei explained that after five days of treatment, medical personnel informed the family that Patrick’s condition, particularly a serious neck injury, was beyond the capacity of the facility.
He said the deceased was subsequently referred to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri, and later to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa for advanced care.
At the FMC, medical examinations reportedly confirmed that Patrick had sustained a spinal injury. The family was thereafter referred to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in Rivers State for specialized treatment.
However, the witness disclosed that financial limitations hindered the family from immediately proceeding to UPTH. He stated that Patrick was taken home while efforts were made to raise funds for the treatment but sadly passed away on January 29, 2026, before the funds could be secured.
Following the testimony, the court adjourned the matter to Monday, March 23, 2026, at 12 noon for continuation of the inquest.
Also Read: Apostle Bodmas Petitions IGP Over Patrick Peresuodei’s Death, Seeks Transfer of Bayelsa Police Investigation to Abuja
Speaking with journalists shortly after the session, a representative from the Office of the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, Mr. TtPaul Eniekenemi Boatman, Esq., reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Douye Diri to ensuring justice is achieved, stressing that the administration remains determined to uncover the root cause of the incident.
He further revealed that the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, SAN, has assured the public that anyone found culpable in the course of the investigation will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
