There was uproar at the Bayelsa State High Court following a request by two alleged celebrity kidnappers to be granted bail on health grounds amid their continued incarceration and trial over alleged involvement in a series of abductions in the state.
The two suspects, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Danjuma Omieje of Premium Trust Bank (formerly Sterling Bank), the owner of Lozzy Supermarket, and some selected Igbo businessmen in the state.
Their arrest attracted widespread media attention due to their reported relationship with the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon. Emmanuel Charles Angasei was said to be Lyon’s in-law.
Angasei was also alleged to have been involved in the abduction of Nancy Dickson, the younger sister of the former Bayelsa State Governor and current Senator, Chief Seriake Dickson.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo and were subsequently arraigned before the State High Court on November 10, 2022, in a suit marked YHC/77C/2022, on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit felony.
Drama, however, ensued in court following the request by the accused persons to be granted bail on health grounds.
The presiding judge, Justice I. Eradiri, after listening to objections raised by the state prosecuting counsel, Barrister Iyobosa, over what he described as alleged false medical claims by the accused, ordered that the suspects undergo another medical examination.
Counsel to the defendants, Barristers Stanley Damabide and Ebiki, argued that their clients were entitled to proper medical examination and treatment.
Following the arguments, Justice Eradiri ordered that the investigating police team from Operation Puff Adder, a representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) led by Barrister Iyobosa, and the defence team be present when the suspects are taken to the Federal Medical Centre for an independent medical examination.
The court fixed Friday, March 6, 2026, for the medical evaluation.
While the proceedings were ongoing, plain-clothes police officers and spectators in the courtroom openly expressed concern and reservations over the request for bail.
A senior police officer from the Bayelsa State Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the claims of ill health by the accused persons should be carefully scrutinised.
According to him, the suspects had allegedly been enjoying special treatment at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre.
He alleged that the accused persons were receiving “celebrity treatment,” including conjugal visits and even celebrated a lavish birthday party with fellow inmates, with food reportedly supplied from a popular eatery in Ekeki, Yenagoa.
Some police personnel at the court also expressed concerns about the safety of the officers involved in the arrest and investigation of the suspects.
They further alleged that the accused had boasted about their readiness to approach the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, should the Bayelsa High Court refuse their request for bail.
“We are worried that if such bail is granted, the peace currently enjoyed in Yenagoa may be threatened. Since the arrest of this kidnap gang, the state has witnessed relative calm. There are fears they may regroup and throw the state into crisis,” the officer said.
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