Lawyer: Autopsy revealed Kubiat Isaac was tortured before his death

Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, says an autopsy has revealed that Kubiat Isaac, a graduate of the University of Uyo who died in the custody of the Akwa Ibom police command, was tortured before his death.

Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer representing Isaac, disclosed this to TheCable on Monday.

The autopsy was said to have been conducted by a pathologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Isaac, who was arrested on August 29 by officers attached to B division, Ewet housing estate, died in the custody of the police.

Odiko Macdon, spokesperson of the Akwa Ibom police command, had claimed that Isaac became sick while in custody, and was taken to the police clinic for treatment before he died.

But Effiong had countered the police, and accused officers of torturing the prospective youth corps member to death.

Speaking on the autopsy conducted by the pathologist, the human rights lawyer, who said he was present during the examination, said there were visible signs of injury on the head of the deceased, and it was discovered that Isaac suffered internal bleeding.

The lawyer said the bruises found on the deceased’s corpse were confirmed to be torture-related, adding that he saw the bruises himself.

“The findings of the autopsy is a confirmation of what I had said earlier. The examination of his corpse revealed that he had injuries on his head. He suffered from internal bleeding all over his body,” he said.

“There were traces of injuries all over his body, which I saw with my eyes. He was severely tortured.”

He also said an uncle of the deceased and some officers led by Udeme Ebong, an investigating police officer, were present during the autopsy.

A photograph of the deceased’s corpse was also sent to TheCable, showing bruises said to have been suffered by the victim.