A 50-year-old defendant standing trial for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and the killing of three persons in Bayelsa State has died after suddenly collapsing at the State High Court in Yenagoa, shortly after judgment in his case was adjourned.
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Bethlehem Nwanlia was awaiting final judgment alongside Gideon Atama, 32, and Clever Ovo when he reportedly clutched his chest and collapsed in the court’s holding area on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at Court 11 of the Bayelsa State High Court, presided over by Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi, after court officials informed the defendants that judgment, which had been expected that day, would no longer be delivered because of the judge’s absence.
The judgment was consequently adjourned to October 27, 2026.
Witnesses said Nwanlia collapsed almost immediately after the adjournment was announced.
“Immediately the adjournment was announced, one of the suspects clutched his chest, slumped and died,” a court registry official who witnessed the incident was quoted as saying.
Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, police personnel, lawyers and others at the court reportedly attempted to revive him, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Medical personnel were subsequently invited to examine him before he was taken to a hospital for further medical examination and confirmation of his death.
Nwanlia had reportedly suffered health complications, including hypertension and stroke, while being held at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre in Yenagoa ahead of the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
He, Atama and Ovo were standing trial in connection with the alleged 2022 killing of three persons in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The deceased persons were Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, who was identified by the police as the Paramount Ruler of Kalaba community and an in-law of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri; Kolibo Francis Amabelimo, identified as Chairman of the Community Development Committee; and Samuel Oburo.
The defendants were arrested following investigations by police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder, the unit subsequently renamed the Violent Crime Response Unit, headed by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.
Police had earlier linked the suspects to the killings while stressing that the allegations were subject to determination by the court. At the time of Nwanlia’s death, no final judgment had been delivered in the case, and the allegations against him therefore remained unproven.
The dramatic development left correctional officers, police personnel, lawyers and other persons within the court premises stunned, particularly as the defendants had arrived expecting the court to determine the criminal case against them.
Nwanlia’s death occurred only moments after he learnt that he would have to wait another three weeks for the court’s decision.
Reports from the court said he suddenly held his chest before falling unconscious, prompting those nearby to rush to his aid. He could not be revived.
The death also introduces a new dimension to the criminal proceedings, although Atama and Ovo remain defendants in the case and the court is expected to determine the next procedural steps concerning them.
The case had attracted attention because of the identities of the victims and the seriousness of the allegations, which include conspiracy, kidnapping and multiple murder.
Judgment in the case had been scheduled for Tuesday before the absence of the presiding judge necessitated the adjournment to October 27.
Nwanlia died before the court could pronounce on whether the prosecution had proved the charges against him.
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