By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

A Bayelsà State High Court has sentenced two persons to death by hanging over their involvement in the 2022 an in-law to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, the Paramount Ruler Kolibo Francis Amabelimo, and the CDC Chairman of Kalaba community, Samuel Oburo in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State.

The two suspects, Gideon Atama, 32 years old and Clever OVO, 33 years old, arrested by the Police Investigation team attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (formerly Operation Puff Adder) led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, charged the suspects with conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder in suit number BYHC/YHC/CR/32/2025.

One of the accused persons, Bethlehem Nwanlia, 50 years old on October 27th slumped and died inside the State High Court premises while awaiting ruling on the matter.

He died of health complications of high blood pressure and stroke which was reportedly developed while in custody at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Micheal Amadise Ekade, after listening to the thorough case presented against the accused, convicted and sentence the accused to death by hanging.

Some family members of the deceased victims expressed appreciation to the men of the Operation Puff Adder now Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo and the State Government through the State Ministry of Justice for quick arrest and diligent investigation and prosecution.