“Who Killed Patrick? Court Testimony Points to Bodmas Kemepadei as Bayelsa Demands Answers”
By Passman Akpos
Yenagoa, Bayelsa state —Fresh revelations have emerged from the ongoing coroner’s inquest into the death of 24-year-old Patrick Peresuodei, as the first witness delivered a harrowing account that has sparked outrage and intense public debate across Bayelsa State.
The Coroner’s Court sitting in Yenagoa, presided over by Magistrate Obiri Baitimizimo Florizel, heard testimony from the deceased’s elder brother, Destiny Peresuodei, who detailed the events leading to Patrick’s death.
According to the witness, he and his brother were allegedly abducted on January 15, 2026, from their family home in Amassoma by one Bodmas Kemepadei and four officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. They were reportedly taken to a private residence in Edepie, Yenagoa, where they were subjected to severe assault by a group of individuals.
Destiny told the court that the attackers inflicted multiple injuries, including head wounds, and allegedly used a machete to flog them on the instruction of Kemepadei. After the assault, the victims were reportedly handed over to officers and transported to the Nigeria Police Force, specifically the Operation Puff Adder unit in Yenagoa.
He further testified that they were detained for two days before family members located them. However, the situation took a critical turn on January 20, when he was briefly taken out to write a statement. Upon his return, his brother was missing from the cell, only to be brought back later in what he described as a near lifeless condition.
Patrick, according to the testimony, was unresponsive, unable to speak, and struggling to breathe. He was rushed for medical attention, first to a general hospital in Amassoma, then referred to multiple facilities including the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa and eventually the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital after doctors reportedly diagnosed a spinal injury.
Tragically, the family could not immediately afford the advanced treatment required. Patrick Peresuodei died on January 29, 2026, before funds could be secured.
The court has adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for continuation of the inquest, with expectations that law enforcement officers will be called to account for the circumstances surrounding the death.
Speaking after the session, a representative of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice reiterated that Governor Douye Diri remains committed to ensuring justice is served. The state’s Attorney-General, Biriyai Dambo (SAN), also assured that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.
Public Outrage and Divided OpinionsThe case has ignited strong reactions on social media, with many expressing anger and demanding accountability, while others caution against premature conclusions.
Some commenters have called for stricter action, including placing a bounty on the prime suspect, while others argue that the testimony raises serious questions about what transpired during police custody.
A section of the public insists that responsibility may lie beyond initial allegations, pointing to the period the deceased spent in detention. Others, however, maintain that all individuals named in the testimony must be thoroughly investigated.
Despite the heated exchanges online, legal observers emphasize that the inquest is still ongoing and that conclusions must be based strictly on evidence presented before the court.
As proceedings continue, the case remains a focal point of concern in Bayelsa, highlighting broader issues around custody practices, accountability, and access to timely medical care.
For now, the family—and the public—await answers.
