Amnesty International Demands Justice Over Custodial Death of Japheth Njoku in Imo State

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has called on Nigerian police leadership and the Imo State government to act swiftly on a judicial coroner’s findings into the death of 32-year-old Japheth Njoku, who died while being held in custody at an Owerri police facility, according to a report by Daily Post Nigeria.

The organisation issued its call following an inquest conclusion delivered on September 30 by Chief Magistrate E. U. Chinaka at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Owerri. The magistrate, acting as coroner, examined the circumstances surrounding Njoku’s death while detained at the police post known locally as Tiger Base.

Findings from the Coroner’s Inquest

According to the findings cited in the report, Njoku was held in police custody for approximately six weeks over an allegation of stealing, an offence described by Amnesty International as typically bailable under Nigerian law. The coroner determined that prolonged detention, coupled with inhuman conditions and monetary demands from officers, contributed directly to the sharp deterioration of Njoku’s physical condition and his subsequent death.

Amnesty International noted that Njoku was alive when he initially entered police custody, stressing that the state bears legal responsibility for the well-being of individuals held under its supervision.

Demands for Prosecution and Reparations

In a statement dated October 10, Amnesty International directed appeals to the Attorney-General of Imo State, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Imo State Commissioner of Police. The group insisted that the coroner’s recommendations must not be ignored.

Specifically, the advocacy organisation called for:

• Prompt implementation of the coroner’s judicial recommendations.
• The prosecution of any police personnel or individuals found criminally responsible where evidence is sufficient.
• Adequate compensation and formal reparations for Njoku’s surviving family.
• An independent investigation into reported efforts to tamper with the court-ordered post-mortem examination and intimidate witnesses.

Amnesty International underlined that the victim’s family holds a legal right to effective remedy and full accountability from the authorities.

Concerns Over Custodial Practices

The organisation stated that the coroner’s conclusions align with longstanding concerns regarding operational practices at the Tiger Base facility. Amnesty previously raised alerts concerning unlawful detentions, extortion, ill-treatment, and unexplained deaths among detainees at the location.

The watchdog emphasized that meaningful systemic safeguards must be established across detention centers to prevent severe abuses and ensure constitutional protections for suspects awaiting due process. As of the time of reporting, Imo State authorities and the Nigeria Police Force have not publicly outlined the timeline for implementing the inquest’s specific recommendations.

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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