Suspected Murderer Of Gov Diri’s In-Law Collapses And Dies In Bayelsa Court
A 50-year-old murder suspect, Bethlehem Nwanlia, slumped and died while awaiting final judgement in the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and multiple murders at the Bayelsa State High Court.
Nwanlia, 32-year-old Gideon Atama and Clever Ovo were arrested by police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder, now known as the Violent Crime Response Unit, headed by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.
The suspects were facing charges for the 2022 murders of Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha (an in-law to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri), Paramount Ruler Kolibo Francis Amabelimo, and Samuel Oburo in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
According to prison sources, Nwanlia was reported to have developed strange ailments, including high blood pressure and stroke, while at the Medium Correctional Prison at Okaka.
Eyewitnesses at the court stated that, following the announcement by the court clerk that the final judgement in the case had been adjourned to 27th October 2026, due to the absence of the Judge, Nwanlia clutched his chest and slumped.
It was gathered that efforts to revive him proved abortive, leaving men of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), the police and lawyers at court stunned over the development.
