The autopsy report of the late Ikoku Mechanic, Chima Ikwunado has been released.
Sources knowledgeable in the matter told theportcitynews on Sunday that the report was released to the Rivers State Police Command on Thursday.
Dr Cornell Chukwuegbo, pathologist for Chima’s family said the autopsy report was not for public consumption.
According to him, autopsy reports are not made public except through the appropriate channels.
However, sources said the report showed the mechanic was tortured intensely before his death,
The late mechanic died in the custody of operatives of the Eagle Crack Unit on December 19 2019.
His colleagues were subsequently thrown into prison and charged for armed robbery.
However, a Rivers State Magistrate Court ruled weeks ago that they were arrested on mere suspicion.
One of the sources within the police command told theportcitynews that the commissioner of police, Mustapha DanDaura will address a press conference within the week as regards the investigation into the mechanic’s death.
At a meeting with family members of late Chima Ikwunado at the State Police Headquarters at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, two weeks ago, Rivers CP noted that the Police is poised to ensure all those involved in the matter are investigated and if found guilty persecuted.
He said that he has been directed by the force headquarters to investigate the matter and submit a report on it.
The Police Commissioner also appealed to the family to exercise patience while investigation and autopsy are being carried out to enable them properly persecute the matter
Also Read: Why Oshiomole was attacked on Friday – Obaseki
On February 9th, the police agreed to a second autopsy to ascertain the true cause of death of the mechanic following increased pressure from civil society organizations.
The public relations officer of the police command, Nnamdi Omoni, had claimed in January that the mechanic died from high blood sugar, a claim his family denied.
Omoni admitted a week ago that the police lied to the public over the cause of death of the mechanic.
Omoni said his earlier statement was a product of what the commander of Eagle Crack Unit, SP Benson Adetuyi, told him, adding that the command was embarrassed by the outcome the lie told them by Adetuyi.
“SP Benson Adetuyi was called when the news went viral and he said they were investigating a case of armed robbery.
“He said that they (Chima and the Ikoku 4) were intercepted and taken to the station and that they were interrogated and detained in the cell in the cause of Interrogation Chima eventually died in custody and he was taken to the hospital and it was revealed that he died of high sugar level.
“I am quoting him. Based on that, when I was interviewed on Radio I quoted him. When the CP summoned him, he told the CP the same thing. When the Force PRO Called him and the team to Abuja, he told them the same thing so we were startled when an autopsy was conducted the other day we were thrown aback’’
“I equally said we were not contending with or rely 100% on what he told us, that CP has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.
“The revelations we are getting today is as a result of the investigation that was instituted by the commissioner of police by men of the state CID, It is still the same police, the revelation of there was no autopsy was still revealed by the same police.
“If we wanted to cover our tracks, we would have done that but because we are transparent, the report from the pathologist is still from the police doctor.
“The officers involved in this dastardly act were detained when it was confirmed that the Late Chima died out of torture, that is murder and we would deal with them appropriately.
“For the commander himself, he has been redeployed. All hands on deck to ensure that justice is served in this matter.
Omoni appealed for calm adding that “The CP has promised to address the press holistically as soon as the autopsy report is out because that would be captured in our investigation report and based on our report, the CP would now tell the world what happened and the level of complicity of everyone”
