March 05, (THEWILL) — There was uproar at the Bayelsa State High Court following a request by the arrested celebrity kidnappers’ counsel to be granted bail on health grounds over their continued incarceration and trial for the alleged involvement in a series of abductions in the state.
The two arrested celebrity kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 for the alleged kidnapping of one Danjuma Omieje of Premium Trust Bank (formerly known as Sterling Bank), the owner of Lozzy Supermarket, and some selected Igbo Businessmen in the state.
The arrest of the two accused was celebrated in the media due to their relationship with the then-governorship candidate of the APC, Chief David Lyon. Emmanuel Charles Angasei was reported to be his in-law.
Emmanuel Charles Angasei was also alleged to be involved in the kidnapping of one Nancy Dickson, the younger sister of the former state governor and now Senator, Chief Seriake Dickson.
They were arrested by the men of the Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, and arraigned at the State High Court on the 10th of November, 2022, in a suit numbered YHC/77c/2022 on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit felony.
There was, however, drama in court following the request by the two accused for bail on health grounds.
The presiding judge, Justice I. Eradiri, after hearing the objections raised by the state prosecuting counsel, Barr. Iyobosa, on the alleged false claims presented by the accused, ordered that they be medically re-examined.
The counsels to the accused, Barr. Stanley Damabide and Barr. Ebiki, argued that their clients are entitled to medical examination.
Justice Eradiri has, however, ordered that the investigating police team of operation Puff Adder, representative of the DPP, Barr. Iyobosa and the defence team will be present when the two accused are taken to the Federal Medical Centre for independent medical examination on Friday, 6th of March, 2026.
While the arguments were going on, the plainclothes policemen and spectators expressed reservations and fear over their request for bail.
A senior police officer from the state police Command, who pleaded anonymity, THEWILL that the claims of ill health presented by the accused were false and should be diligently examined.
He claimed that the accused, while at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre, were enjoying first-class and celebrity treatment with conjugal visits, allegedly approved and had a lavish birthday party with fellow prisoners with food supplied from a popular eatery at Ekeki in Yenagoa.
Some of the police personnel at the court expressed concern over the safety of the arresting officers and alleged that the accused had boasted of their readiness to file a counter request for bail at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, if the Bayelsa court rejects their request.
“We are worried that if such bail is granted, the peace being enjoyed in Yenagoa may end. Since the arrest of this kidnapping gang, the state has witnessed peace. They may regroup and throw the state into crisis.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
