The Magistrate Court in Owerri, Imo State, has ordered an autopsy on the body of Mr. Japheth Njoku, a 32-year-old newlywed security guard who allegedly died from torture while in police custody at the notorious Tiger Base facility.
This development was disclosed in an enrolled order signed by the Director of Court Services, Mrs. Kechi Linus Eleazu, and dated June 11, 2025. The directive followed a coroner’s inquest initiated by Njoku’s wife and two brothers-in-law—Mrs. Augusta Njoku, Mr. Uchechukwu Njoku, and Mr. Chibuzo Njoku.
The inquest, filed under Suit No: OW/MISC-425/2025, was presided over by His Worship Chinaka U. Edith. The respondents in the case 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 order, which Reporters obtained on Friday, states:
“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.”
It further instructs that the autopsy be carried out between June 16 and June 28, 2025. The examination is to be supervised by the Imo State Ministry of Justice through the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), which will appoint a qualified pathologist from a government hospital in Owerri. The complainants are to bear the cost of the autopsy.
“The parties can elect an independent pathologist of their choice to witness the autopsy,” the court noted.
“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.”
The coroner’s inquest was initially opened on June 5, following a Motion on Notice filed by the deceased’s family lawyer, Dr. Christian C. Nwadigo.
According to reports, Mr. Njoku, a security guard at Alaba Market in Owerri, was first arrested over a cigarette theft allegation. Although that matter was settled after the complainant withdrew the claim, Njoku was reportedly re-arrested outside the Area Command headquarters. This second arrest was allegedly instigated by a market trader, Mrs. Oluchi Obiagwu.
He was detained at the Tiger Base facility, where he reportedly died under mysterious circumstances. His body was later discovered hidden in a morgue, prompting the family’s legal action.
The court also summoned Inspector Barnabas, CSP Oladimeji, and four others—Monday Ekwueme, Basil Ekenyere, Miss Nkechi, and Caro Okeke—to testify. However, none of them appeared at the June 11 hearing, despite a directive from the court instructing the Imo State Commissioner of Police to ensure compliance.
The case has heightened concerns over police brutality and custodial torture in Nigeria. Human rights advocates have long criticized Tiger Base for alleged torture practices and arbitrary detentions. The outcome of the autopsy is expected to be crucial in determining whether there was criminal misconduct by the police in Njoku’s death.
