A Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced two men to death by hanging for their involvement in the 2022 killing of three persons, including a relative of Governor Douye Diri, in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The victims were identified as Odeinyefa Ogbolodingha, a relative of the governor; Kolibo Francis Amabelimo, the Paramount Ruler of Kalaba community; and Samuel Oburo, the community’s Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC).
The convicts, Gideon Atama, 32, and Clever OVO, 33, were arrested by a police investigation team attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit, formerly known as Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.
They were subsequently charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder in suit number BYHC/YHC/CR/32/2025.
Presiding over the case, Justice Michael Amadise Ekade convicted the two defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging after considering the evidence presented by the prosecution.
However, one of the accused persons, 50-year-old Bethlehem Nwanlia, reportedly died on 27 October after collapsing within the premises of the State High Court while awaiting the court’s ruling.
Nwanlia was said to have suffered health complications associated with hypertension and stroke, which reportedly developed while he was in custody at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre.
Reacting to the judgment, some family members of the deceased victims expressed appreciation to the police and the Bayelsa State Government, particularly the Ministry of Justice, for what they described as the prompt arrest of the suspects and diligent investigation and prosecution of the case.
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