By Chris Emecheta
Delayed autopsy report, complex and confusing information about the unknown venue of exhumed corpse of Late Chief Donatus Ifeanyichukwu Amuchienwa have motivated many Imolites to demand from the judiciary, an official autopsy report with clarity on several vital aspects.
Recall that the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, issued the exhumation order in Suit No: HMI/144/2025, on December 5th, that favored the deceased's separated wife of over 32 years, Mrs. Chinyere Igwege. Available reports in the public domain reveal that the deceased was exhumed on midnight of 23 December with the help of community vigilantes. Totally worried that after a questionable exhumation and purported unknown destination of the corpse with no official information available on whether the autopsy has been conducted or its results, Imo sons and daughters are asking for an official report of the autopsy.
The demand for an official report of the autopsy started gaining momentum on social media space due to two confusing speculations or rumors; some rumor mongers reportedly alleged that an autopsy had already been concluded. On the other side of the coin, some are peddling rumors that the exhumers of the body on December 23rd midnight had secretly concluded plans to carry out a secret autopsy on the deceased with their personal doctor.
Following these rumors about a purported secretly conducted autopsy, Imolites are now demanding answers, including Autopsy Details, with available information on the autopsy, if it has been conducted, who conducted it, its location, name, and registration number of the medical Doctor.
In the words of Ngozi Opara, a Chartered Administrator, he questioned what the relevant are doing with the corpse, asking; "I hope they don't want to fabricate a report?
Speaking with deep concern, Chief Anthony Nwosu, said; "from stopping the burial to court order for autopsy, my people of Mbaitoli and entire Imolites want to know if the autopsy has been conducted and its outcome.
There is information that national leadership of FIDA from Abuja has indicated interest in the matter, they want to know the judge that gave the order and why it was ex parte?
I would like FIDA to further find out if the autopsy has been carried out or not, if not, they should monitor the process of the autopsy to ensure compliance with standard procedures and integrity of the process.
Has the autopsy been done, if yes who conducted it, name and identity and registration number of the medical doctor and the hospital, where it was conducted, time and date.
An indigene of Ubomiri, Mrs. Ebere Opara, asked, was Ogechi, my fellow widow or any of her representatives notified and carried along in the process in the process of exhumation and autopsy, if it has not been conductes . "We hope it will not be done in the night like the manner exhumation was done in a controversial and questionable manner at the late hours of December 23rd night.
Seeking to know about the true situation of things on the autopsy, an indigene of Ubomiri, Mr. Chidi Osuoha, asked, "was the interest of all the parties covered? We all know that the media is interested in the matter. What is happening is not good for the image of our community. I would like to know the outcome of the report because the public is aware that the corpse stayed in the morgue for about 5 months before the burial. Mr. Osuoha questioned the order given to Chinyere, her sons Nnanna, and Otitodirichukwu, asking why the children joined in the desecration of their father's memory?.
According to him, Otitodirichukwu had American citizenship because the father, Late Chief Donatus Ifeanyichukwu, took the mother Chinyere to America for child delivery in a private hospital, Does it not worry him that his father was desecrated?
Nnanna Charles Amuchienwa, fondly called Bobby by his late father, was also born in London. His late father opened his business links to him and introduced him to business and prominent personalities.
Unfortunately, close to two years his father battled kidney failure, he reportedly abandoned him. Why would he do this to his father, a man that showed him fatherly care and loved him so much? There were reports that even when his father sent people to reach out to him and called him several times, he reportedly declined. It is unfortunate that charles and Tito exhumed their father as their names were on the order to exhume their father.
All the curses by clerics and the general public directed at their mother are also directed at them as they joined in filing the suit and obtaining the order that exhumed and desecreted their father.
It a well fact that the process of conducting an autopsy in a hospital after exhumation is glaring. In Pre-Autopsy Procedures, it starts with Exhumation and Transportation as the body is exhumed and transported to the hospital in a sealed body bag, accompanied by law enforcement or authorized personnel. In the case of late Chief Ifeanyichukwu Donatus Amuchienwa, the reverse is the case. The exhumers came in the late hours of the night and exhumed his body in a criminal manner without due process. Now it is glaring that they kept the corpse in an unknown venue. In Documentation and Identification after exhumation, how are we sure that truly, his body will be identified, documented, and verified to ensure that he is the correct individual being autopsied and not another person. In addition, there should be full compliance with Chain of Custody. The body is handled and stored in a secure, refrigerated area to maintain chain of custody.
It is a well-known fact that in Autopsy Procedures there are External and Internal Examinations. The body is examined externally for signs of trauma, injury, or disease. It is also opened, and internal organs are examined for signs of disease or injury. Other procedures are Tissue samples collected for histopathological examination and toxicological analysis. Imaging Studies for X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans may be performed to aid in the examination for Documentation including video and pictures.
A vital aspect is specialized Procedures; such as; Toxicology Sampling for toxicological analysis, blood, urine, and tissue. Histopathology: Tissue samples are fixed, processed, and examined microscopically. Microbiology can also be considered as Samples may be collected for microbiological examination, if necessary. Those behind the forceful exhumation and unknown destination of the corpse should know that Imo State is an enlightened society. Majority of Imolites are aware of the procedures of exhumation and cannot be deceived.
For educative purposes, there are standard procedures in carrying out an autopsy, before, during, and after the process. In these standard procedures, certainly, there will be provision for infection Control. The autopsy team will follow strict infection control protocols to prevent exposure to infectious diseases. There will be Chain of Custody to handle the body and samples to ensure they are securely stored to maintain chain of custody.
The place of Family and Law Enforcement Involvement in the process is absolutely indispensable. The autopsy is typically performed by a forensic pathologist or a medical examiner, with the assistance of trained autopsy technicians. The process is designed to ensure a thorough, accurate, and respectful examination of the deceased.
Looking at the complex process of exhumation is glaring to all that is not a child's play or a hide and seek process. Now the million-dollar question is; why are the exhumers behaving as if it is a hide and seek game?
There are many doubts or questions on the lips of Ndi Imo about updates on exhumation, only the judiciary can provide that answer.