A medical expert has cast doubt on claims that Abdulquadir Jimoh, a 35-year-old man who died after being detained by the police in Kwara State, took his own life. An official autopsy report, exclusively obtained by The Informant247, suggests that Jimoh’s death was not due to suicide but rather "acute ventricular failure," a form of sudden heart failure.

The autopsy, carried out on December 27, 2024, at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, was jointly signed by Dr O.L. Lawal, Consultant Pathologist, and Dr Ismail Olayiwola, Pathology Resident. Their findings refute earlier assertions made by both the police and the deceased's family, who had suggested that Jimoh might have hanged himself while in custody.

The report raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his death and highlights the need for further investigation into the incident.

“Autopsy findings revealed the cause of death to be acute left ventricular failure due to hypertensive heart disease,” the report confirmed. The death was ruled as natural.

What had happened

Jimoh, a resident of Ilorin, Kwara State, reportedly died while in police custody at around 7:45 p.m. on December 20, 2024.

It was gathered that the deceased was arrested by police operatives on December 19, 2024, for allegedly owing a man, identified as Peter, a sum of N220,000.

Jimoh’s family, including his mother, Mrs. Adijat Moriyike, and his elder brother, Ismail, have alleged that he was tortured to death and have called on relevant authorities to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.

Police sources, however, claimed that Jimoh tore his clothing and used it to hang himself in the cell.

During a condolence visit to the deceased’s community, IGP Kayode Egbetokun urged the family not to take the law into their own hands. He assured them that a thorough investigation had been ordered into the circumstances surrounding Jimoh’s death and emphasized that “justice will be served”.

Several prominent individuals, including Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Kwara Central Senator Saliu Mustapha, have called for a thorough investigation into the cause of death.

Autopsy refutes police claim of suicide

The report, in a brief introduction, stated: “The deceased, a 35-year-old male trader, was arrested and detained at the SID section of Kwara State Police Headquarters following a petition alleging that he was indebted to a colleague. He was reported to have hung himself using his T-shirt in the cell on December 20, 2024. His body was deposited at KWASUTH Morgue, where he was embalmed, and an autopsy was performed on December 27, 2024, on the order of the coroner.”

However, contrary to police claims that Jimoh committed suicide by hanging, the report found no evidence of death by hanging.

The examination revealed that the deceased was brought in with a rope around his neck, but it specifically ruled that he didn’t die from hanging.

“A young man, motionless with rope markings around his neck and a red-colored cloth, cut into smaller pieces and used to form an improvised rope, was seen around his neck. The pupils were fixed and unresponsive to light. Cardiac and peripheral pulses were absent, and no respiratory movement was noted,” the examination stated.

However, the findings indicated that despite the rope around his neck, Jimoh did not die from hanging.

According to the report, the autopsy was carried out in the presence of Mr. Jimoh Ismail Ayodeji (the deceased’s elder brother), Dr. Ismail Olayiwola (Pathology Resident), CSP Emmanuel Johnson (CID, Police Headquarters, Ilorin, Kwara State), and Insp. Kamaldeen Muhammed (CID, Police Headquarters, Ilorin, Kwara State). The body was identified by the elder brother before the autopsy commenced.

When The Informant247 contacted a medical expert to review the autopsy results, the doctor, who requested to remain anonymous, ruled out death by hanging.

“The classical signs of death by hanging typically include dislocation or fracture of the neck bones, and the marks and bruising around the neck are not sufficient to confirm hanging. It is possible that someone may have placed the rope around his neck after he had already died,” he said.

No evidence of torture, beating

Despite claims by Jimoh’s relatives that he was tortured to death, the autopsy did not indicate any signs of beating or torture.

The medical expert explained, “If Jimoh had died as a result of torture or beating, the autopsy would likely have shown signs of swelling, bruises, or open wounds with clotted blood. However, the report shows no such evidence.”

The doctor added, “Essentially, the autopsy concluded that Jimoh died of a natural cause, meaning he did not die from homicide or suicide but from something like sudden heart failure, which could have occurred regardless of where he was at the time.”

The doctor also pointed out that stress and anxiety could trigger acute heart failure, particularly in someone with a history of hypertension.

“If Jimoh had hypertension and was not allowed to take his medication while in police custody, it could have contributed to his death. However, we don’t know if he was on medication before the detention,” he said.