The respondents include Inspector Barnabas (Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit), CSP Oladimeji, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney General of Imo State.
The Imo State Magistrate Court in Owerri has ordered an autopsy on the body of 32-year-old newlywed Mr. Japheth Njoku, who was allegedly tortured to death while in police custody at the infamous Tiger Base facility. The autopsy aims to determine whether his death was unnatural.
The order was issued on Wednesday during a coroner’s inquest presided over by His Worship Chinaka U. Edith, Esq., in Suit No: OW/MISC-425/2025. The inquest was filed by Mrs. Augusta Njoku, Mr. Uchechukwu Njoku, and Mr. Chibuzo Njoku—the deceased’s wife and relatives—as the 1st to 3rd applicants.
The respondents include Inspector Barnabas (Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit), CSP Oladimeji, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney General of Imo State.
According to the enrolled order, signed by the Director of Court Services, Mrs. Kechi Linus Eleazu, and dated June 11, the court directed that the autopsy must be conducted between June 16 and June 28, 2025. The cost of the examination will be borne by the complainants.
The order obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday partly read: “Upon coroner inquest slated today for hearing. The court hereby orders as follows:
“That there shall be an autopsy carried out on the deceased body of late Mr. Japheth Njoku who died in police custody at Tiger Base to determine whether the deceased died of unnatural death.
“The autopsy shall be supervised by the office of the DPP Imo State Ministry of Justice or any law officer so appointed by that officer who shall appoint one pathologist or medical director from the government hospital Owerri, for the autopsy, and shall fix a date for the autopsy and thereafter collect the result of the autopsy and report back to the court, at complainants’ expenses.
“The parties can elect an independent pathologist of their choice to witness the autopsy.
“The autopsy shall be conducted between 16th June and 28th June 2025.
“The court shall call on the witnesses and parties for their testimonies on oath after the autopsy to determine first defendant indictment if necessary.
“Case is adjourned to 2nd July for report of autopsy.”
On June 5, the Imo State Magistrate Court, while ruling on a Motion on Notice marked Motion No: OW/MISC-425/2025, initiated a coroner’s inquest into the death of Mr. Japheth Njoku.
The application was filed by Mrs. Augusta Njoku, Mr. Uchechukwu Njoku, and Mr. Chibuzo Njoku against Inspector Barnabas and CSP Oladimeji, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
The court ordered both Inspector Barnabas and CSP Oladimeji to appear before it to testify on the circumstances surrounding Njoku’s unnatural death.
It also summoned four other individuals—Monday Ekwueme, Basil Ekenyere, Miss Nkechi, and Caro Okeke—to provide testimony.
Additionally, the court directed the Imo State Commissioner of Police to ensure the officers’ compliance and appearance.
However, during the coroner’s inquest hearing held on Wednesday, June 11 in Owerri, SaharaReporters learned that the Commissioner of Police, CSP Oladimeji, Inspector Barnabas, and the other summoned individuals failed to appear in court.
The late Njoku’s wife and two brothers-in-law brought the motion through their lawyer, Dr. Christian C. Nwadigo.
Njoku, a recently married man and security guard at the Alaba Market in Owerri, was initially detained following an allegation of cigarette theft, SaharaReporters learned. That matter was reportedly resolved after the complainant withdrew the accusation.
However, just as he was about to be released, a new allegation emerged. Njoku was reportedly re-arrested at the gate of the Area Command, allegedly at the instigation of a fellow market trader, Mrs. Oluchi Obiagwu.
