Amnesty International has urged the Imo State Attorney-General to prosecute two police officers found responsible for the death of 32-year-old Japheth Njoku in custody at Tiger Base, Owerri, Imo State. The organization referenced a coroner's finding that prolonged detention and inhuman conditions contributed to Njoku's death. The coroner, Chief Magistrate E. U. Chinaka, delivered the findings on September 30, recommending the prosecution of Inspector Barnabas and CSP Olademeji for extortion and corruption.
The coroner's inquest followed an application by Njoku's family seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding his death in police custody on or about May 5, 2025. Njoku was arrested on March 29, 2025, over an allegation of stealing goods at Alaba market but was detained for about six weeks without being charged to court or granted bail. The coroner held that the offense for which Njoku was arrested was bailable, but the demands for money by the police officers were responsible for his continued detention.
According to the findings, Inspector Barnabas demanded N500,000 as police bail, while a further N300,000 was allegedly demanded for the complainant, Ugomore Oluchi Obiagwu. The coroner found that the demands for money were the reason for Njoku's prolonged detention. During the inquest, Barnabas claimed that Njoku was denied bail because CSP Olademeji identified him as a terrorist during a routine inspection of the detention facility, but the coroner rejected this explanation as a fabrication.
The coroner condemned the conditions at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, in Owerri, where Njoku was held. The court found that Njoku was subjected to inhuman conditions, including overcrowding and poor sanitation, which contributed to his deteriorating health. Njoku's brother, Uchechukwu Njoku, told the inquest that the family was denied access to him for a prolonged period and that Njoku had complained about the foul-smelling toilet and overcrowding in the cell.
The autopsy report listed meningitis, bronchial pneumonia, and hypertensive heart disease as the causes of Njoku's death. The coroner linked Njoku's deteriorating health to the conditions and length of his detention, stating that the inhuman conditions broke him and led to his death. The coroner recommended the prosecution of the two police officers, as well as compensation for Njoku's family and the cost of his burial.
Amnesty International has called for concrete action against those found culpable, stressing that the coroner's findings must lead to prosecution where sufficient evidence of criminal responsibility exists. The organization also urged the authorities to strengthen safeguards for people held in police custody and ensure that victims of human rights violations receive effective remedies. Amnesty International further called for an independent investigation into reported attempts to obstruct the court-ordered autopsy and intimidate witnesses.
The Inspector-General of Police and the Imo State Commissioner of Police were directed to ensure compliance with the recommendations, with the authorities given three months to implement them. The recommendations include the immediate transfer of all officers serving at the unit, the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in police detention facilities, and the establishment of a special unit to monitor their operation.
Key points
- Prosecution of two police officers recommended for extortion and corruption.
- Amnesty International calls for concrete action against those found culpable.
- Authorities given three months to implement coroner's recommendations.