There was tension and uproar at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa following a request by two suspected high-profile kidnappers for bail on health grounds amid their ongoing trial over alleged involvement in a series of abductions in the state.
The two defendants, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 over their alleged roles in several kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of Danjuma Omieje, a staff member of Premium Trust Bank, formerly known as Sterling Bank.
They were also accused of involvement in the kidnap of the owner of Lozzy Supermarket and several Igbo businessmen operating in Bayelsa State.
The arrest of the suspects attracted widespread media attention at the time due to their reported links to the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, with Angasei said to be his in-law.
Angasei was also alleged to have been linked to the abduction of Nancy Dickson, the younger sister of former Bayelsa State governor and current senator, Seriake Dickson.
The suspects were reportedly arrested by operatives of the police tactical unit, Operation Puff Adder, led by Chris Nwaogbo, and were arraigned before the state High Court on November 10, 2022.
The case, filed under suit number YHC/77c/2022, borders on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a felony.
However, proceedings took a dramatic turn when the defendants requested to be granted bail on health grounds, claiming their continued incarceration was affecting their wellbeing.
The request sparked reactions within the courtroom as the presiding judge, Justice I. Eradiri, listened to submissions from both the defence and prosecution teams.
The state prosecuting counsel, Iyobosa, objected to the application, describing the health claims made by the defendants as questionable.
Following the arguments, Justice Eradiri ordered that the accused persons be subjected to an independent medical examination to verify their claims.
The judge directed that the suspects be taken to the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa for the medical evaluation.
He further ruled that representatives of the prosecution, the defence team and the investigating police officers from Operation Puff Adder must be present during the examination.
Counsel to the defendants, Stanley Damabide and Ebiki, had argued that their clients were entitled to proper medical attention and an independent assessment of their health conditions.
Justice Eradiri subsequently fixed March 6, 2026, for the medical examination and continuation of proceedings.
Meanwhile, the development triggered concerns among security operatives and spectators present in court.
Some plainclothes police officers and observers were seen expressing reservations over the bail request, fearing it could pose security risks.
A senior officer from the Nigeria Police Force in Bayelsa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the claims of ill health by the accused persons were false and should be carefully scrutinised.
The officer further alleged that while being held at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre in Yenagoa, the suspects were enjoying what he described as “celebrity treatment.”
According to him, the inmates allegedly received conjugal visits and even celebrated a lavish birthday party with fellow inmates, with food reportedly supplied from a popular eatery in Yenagoa.
Some police personnel also expressed fears for the safety of the officers who carried out the arrest, claiming the suspects had allegedly boasted about filing a fresh bail application at the Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division if their request is rejected by the Bayelsa High Court.
“We are worried that if such bail is granted, the peace being enjoyed in Yenagoa may be threatened,” one officer said.
“Since the arrest of this kidnap gang, the state has experienced relative calm. If they are released, they may regroup and throw the state into crisis again.”
