Murder Suspect Dies in Bayelsa Court After Judgment Is Adjourned
By Fact Harbour News
A 50-year-old murder suspect, Bethlehem Nwanlia, has died after reportedly collapsing at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa shortly after the delivery of judgment in his case was adjourned.
Nwanlia was standing trial alongside Gideon Atama, 32, and Clever Ovo over allegations of conspiracy, kidnapping and the killing of three people in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The incident occurred at Court 11 of the Bayelsa State High Court on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, shortly after Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi adjourned judgment in the case to October 27 because of the judge’s absence.
According to reports from the court, Nwanlia suddenly complained of chest pain, clutched his chest and collapsed in the court’s holding area.
Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers reportedly rushed to assist him and attempted to revive him before medical personnel were called.
He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His remains were later deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, according to reports.
The Bayelsa State Judiciary confirmed the death. Its Public Relations Officer, Enoch Okunobo, said the deceased had been regularly attending court in connection with the criminal proceedings.
The immediate cause of Nwanlia’s death had not been officially established at the time of reporting. Reports indicated that he had experienced health problems while in custody, including hypertension and stroke, but no official medical report had linked those conditions conclusively to his death.
Nwanlia, Atama and Ovo were being prosecuted over the alleged 2022 killings of Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, identified in reports as an in-law of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Paramount Ruler Kolibo Francis Amabelimo and Samuel Oburo.
The three defendants were arrested by police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder, an operation later known as the Violent Crime Response Unit. The operation was reportedly led by then Chief Superintendent of Police Chris Nwaogbo.
The case had been pending before the Bayelsa State High Court as the defendants awaited the court’s determination of the allegations against them.
Nwanlia’s death means that no judgment was delivered against him before his death. The allegations against him therefore remained allegations and had not been established by a final court verdict.
The unexpected death caused confusion at the court premises, with correctional officials, police officers, lawyers and other people present reportedly stunned by the development.
The other two defendants, Atama and Ovo, remain parties to the criminal proceedings, and the court is expected to determine the next steps in the case following Nwanlia’s death.
The circumstances surrounding Nwanlia’s death are expected to be clarified through medical examination and any other official investigation considered necessary by the relevant authorities.
