“First Patrick, Now His Father!” — Peresuodei Family Mourns Double Tragedy as Bodmas Kemepadei, Tompolo Face Renewed Questions

By Passman Akpos

AMASSOMA, BAYELSA STATE — Grief has deepened in Amassoma following the death of Chief Aba Peresuodei, whose passing came months after the controversial death of his first son, Patrick Peresuodei.

For the Peresuodei family, the tragedy has assumed an especially painful dimension: first a son was lost, and now the father who reportedly struggled to come to terms with that loss is also dead.

The development has reopened public debate over the circumstances surrounding Patrick’s death on January 25, 2026, with family-linked voices and activists renewing their demand for a transparent investigation.

Patrick, 24, was reportedly the first son of the family and an important breadwinner. His death, according to people speaking in support of the family, left his father devastated and the household facing profound emotional and financial hardship.

Apostle Comrade Ezekiel Daniel Perela, one of the voices demanding accountability, described Chief Aba as a respected member of Amassoma and alleged that the shock of Patrick’s death severely affected him.

“The shock of Patrick’s death took away life from his father since January before finally succumbing to the hands of death two days ago,” Daniel alleged.

Sogo James Richman also described the late Chief Aba as a significant community figure, portraying his death as the latest painful chapter in a family tragedy that began with the loss of Patrick.

FRESH QUESTIONS OVER PATRICK’S DEATH

Patrick’s death has remained controversial, particularly following allegations concerning how he sustained the injuries that ultimately caused his death.

Daniel has accused Bodmas Prince Kemepadei, whom he described as an associate of Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, of responsibility for Patrick’s alleged torture.

Those allegations remain disputed and have not, by themselves, established criminal guilt.

The controversy has nevertheless intensified following the findings of the Coroner’s Court, which examined the circumstances surrounding Patrick’s death.

According to the account of the findings previously reported by Tarakirivoice, the Coroner determined that Patrick died from haemorrhagic shock caused by multiple extensive blunt-force traumatic injuries and rejected natural disease as the cause of death.

The Court also reportedly found evidence connecting Kemepadei and persons acting with him to Patrick’s initial arrest and injuries, while stressing that the available evidence did not itself establish beyond reasonable doubt that Kemepadei personally inflicted the fatal injuries.

Importantly, the Coroner’s proceedings were not a criminal trial and did not amount to a conviction.

Instead, the Court reportedly recommended further investigation into the roles of Kemepadei, persons allegedly acting under his authority, NSCDC personnel involved in Patrick’s arrest and transfer, and Inspector Barnabas Eyoroere over an alleged custodial assault.

The responsibility for determining whether criminal charges should be filed and whether anyone is ultimately guilty therefore remains with the appropriate investigative authorities, prosecutors and competent courts.

FAMILY REPORTEDLY REJECTS SETTLEMENT CLAIM

Another issue generating controversy is an alleged financial settlement.

Daniel alleged that attempts were made to resolve the matter financially, claiming that an initial figure of ₦50 million was discussed and allegedly increased to ₦100 million.

But Richman has strongly rejected reports circulating on social media that the Peresuodei family accepted ₦50 million to abandon its demand for justice.

According to Richman, he contacted a close relative of the late Chief Aba, identified as Patrick’s father’s younger brother, who allegedly told him that the family had never met Kemepadei and had not negotiated any settlement concerning Patrick’s death.

If that account is accurate, it directly contradicts claims that the family accepted money as compensation in exchange for ending the matter.

The conflicting accounts make independent verification particularly important.

TOMPOLO ALSO FACES RENEWED PUBLIC QUESTIONS

The controversy has also drawn renewed attention to Tompolo because of the public statements connecting Kemepadei to him.

Daniel has criticised Tompolo over what he described as a failure to ensure justice in the matter.

However, no allegation against Tompolo contained in these statements should be treated as an established finding of criminal responsibility for Patrick’s death.

The renewed public scrutiny comes amid broader debates surrounding security contracts, political influence and accountability in the Niger Delta.

Daniel also expressed support for the Federal Government’s reported decision not to renew the Tantita pipeline surveillance contract, arguing that the contract had allegedly contributed to tensions in some communities.

A FAMILY DEMANDS ANSWERS

For residents watching the controversy, the death of Chief Aba has transformed the case from an already disturbing investigation into an even more heartbreaking human story.

A father reportedly watched his first son die under controversial circumstances.

Months later, that father is dead.

The question now confronting the authorities is not whether social media has produced competing narratives, but whether the full chain of events surrounding Patrick’s death can be independently established.

What happened before Patrick entered custody?

Who caused the initial injuries?

What happened after his arrest?

Were additional injuries sustained while he was in custody?

Was there a failure to provide timely medical attention?

And, most importantly, does the evidence justify criminal prosecution of any individual?

These are questions that only a credible investigation and due process can conclusively answer.

CALL FOR TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION

Community voices are urging the Bayelsa State Government, police, NSCDC and other relevant authorities not to allow Patrick’s case to fade away.

They want the Coroner’s recommendations fully acted upon and the evidence independently examined.

If anyone is found culpable, they want prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.

If allegations against any individual are found to be unsupported, the same investigation should establish that fact.

That, ultimately, is what justice requires.

The death of Chief Aba has now added another layer of sorrow to the Peresuodei family’s struggle.

Patrick is gone.

His father is now gone too.

But the questions surrounding Patrick’s death remain.

And until those questions are answered through a transparent and credible process, the demand for justice is unlikely to disappear from Amassoma.

May the souls of Patrick Peresuodei and Chief Aba Peresuodei rest in peace.

Tarakirivoice will continue to monitor developments arising from the Coroner’s findings, any further investigation and possible prosecutorial action.