Amnesty International says it welcomes the findings delivered on 30 September 2026 by Chief Magistrate E. U. Chinaka of the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Owerri, sitting as a Coroner, into the death of 32-year-old Japheth Njoku in police custody at Tiger Base, Owerri, Imo State.
Amnesty International is calling on the Attorney-General of Imo State, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, to promptly implement the Coroner’s recommendations, ensure prosecution where there is sufficient evidence of criminal responsibility, and provide adequate compensation and reparation to Njoku’s family.
Reported attempts to obstruct the court-ordered autopsy and intimidate witnesses must also be independently investigated.
The Coroner found that Njoku was detained for about six weeks over an allegation of stealing, a bailable offence, and that demands for money and the inhuman conditions in which he was held contributed to the deterioration of his health and eventual death.
The findings reinforce concerns documented by Amnesty International about human rights violations at Tiger Base, including arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, extortion and deaths in custody.
The organization calls on the authorities to urgently address these concerns, strengthen safeguards for people in police custody and ensure effective remedies for victims.
Japheth Njoku entered police custody alive.
His death demands truth, justice and accountability.
His family has a right to an effective remedy, and anyone responsible must be held to account.