A consultant pathologist, Dr. Musa Itopa Stephen, on Friday, April 24, 2026, tendered before the Coroner’s Court sitting in Yenagoa the autopsy report and medical certificate of cause of death of Patrick Peresuodei, providing detailed findings on the circumstances surrounding his death.
Testifying before the court, Dr. Stephen stated that the autopsy was conducted on March 21, 2026 at the Federal Medical Centre, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He noted that the procedure was carried out in the presence of interested parties whose attendance was duly recorded. He added that photographs of the examination were taken by a police photographer, with both hard and electronic copies made available.
The pathologist further informed the court that medical samples were collected and sent to the forensic laboratory for toxicology and biochemical analyses, the results of which are still pending and will be submitted to the court upon completion.
Dr. Stephen subsequently tendered the medical certificate of cause of death, th##e autopsy (post-mortem) report and 22 photographs documenting the procedure.
According to the report, external examination revealed multiple blunt force injuries distributed across the deceased’s body. These included a laceration measuring approximately 4cm on the vortex of the scalp, as well as deep bruises on the lower lip, shoulder joints, extensor surfaces of the elbows and forearms, anterior abdomen, back, buttocks, and both knees. The right knee was notably swollen, with several injuries covered by scabs.
The report also documented circumferential bruising around the right and left wrists and ankle joints, more severe on the left side, consistent with restraint marks, likely from handcuffs and ankle cuffs.
Internal examination showed extensive subcutaneous and soft tissue haemorrhages across multiple regions, including the upper limbs, abdomen, back, and lower extremities. Evidence of traumatic haemarthrosis – bleeding into joint spaces was observed, particularly severe in the right knee indicating significant pain, swelling, and impaired mobility.
Further findings revealed significant blood loss, and haemorrhage in the frontal scalp region. The brain was found to be autolyzed, limiting detailed neurological assessment.
The autopsy concluded that the cause of death was haemorrhagic shock resulting from multiple, extensive and fatal blunt force traumatic injuries.
Contributory factors included extensive subcutaneous hemorrhage due to trauma, traumatic haemarthrosis, and injuries consistent with restraint during assault.
In his remarks, Dr. Stephen emphasized that the pattern, severity, and distribution of the injuries were consistent with inflicted trauma. He noted that the presence of restraint marks on the wrists and ankles strongly suggested that the deceased may have been restrained at the time the injuries were sustained, raising serious medico-legal concerns, including the possibility of custodial violence.
The report further stated that there was no evidence of any natural disease sufficient to explain the death.
Under cross-examination, the Pathologist maintained that the injuries were incompatible with suicide, describing them as the result of blunt force impacts. He explained that such injuries could be inflicted using objects such as sticks, planks, batons, or similar non-sharp objects.
Following the testimony, the Coroner’s Court adjourned to Tuesday, April 28, 2026 for continuation of hearing.
