Court Sentences Two To Death Days After Co-Defendant Dies In Courtroom

A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Tuesday sentenced two males to dying by hanging after discovering them responsible of conspiracy, kidnapping, homicide and tried homicide over the killing of three individuals within the state.

The judgment got here days after a 3rd defendant standing trial in the identical case reportedly slumped and died inside the court docket premises whereas awaiting the court docket’s determination.

Justice Michael Amadise Ekade sentenced Gideon Atama, 32, and Clever OVO, 33, after contemplating proof offered by the prosecution in go well with quantity BYHC/YHC/CR/32/2025.

The defendants had been convicted over their involvement within the 2022 killing of Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, an in-law of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri; Francis Amabelimo, the Paramount Ruler of Kolibo neighborhood; and Samuel Oburo, Chairman of the Community Development Committee of Kalaba neighborhood, all in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The third defendant, recognized as 50-year-old Bethlehem Nwanlia, reportedly slumped and died inside the premises of the Bayelsa State High Court on October 27 whereas awaiting judgment within the case.

Nwanlia was mentioned to have suffered well being issues, together with hypertension and stroke, whereas in custody on the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre.

Atama and OVO had been arrested by operatives of the Police Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), previously often called Operation Puff Adder, throughout an investigation led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

Following Tuesday’s judgment, some family of the victims counseled the police investigation group for the arrests and investigation that led to the conviction of the 2 defendants.

They additionally praised the Bayelsa State Government, notably the Ministry of Justice, for what they described because the diligent prosecution of the case.