Murder suspect dies after collapsing at Bayelsa High Court

Bethlehem Nwanlia, a 50-year-old defendant in a murder trial, has died after collapsing at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

He was standing trial with two other defendants over conspiracy, kidnapping and the alleged killing of three people in Kalaba community in 2022. The allegations had not been finally determined before his death.

The collapse happened at Court 11 shortly after judgment in the case was adjourned to October 27, 2026. Punch reported that Nwanlia complained of chest pain in the court’s holding area before collapsing.

Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers tried to help him, and medical personnel were called. He was taken to a hospital, where his death was confirmed, according to the reports.

Bayelsa judiciary spokesperson Enoch Okunobo confirmed the death to Punch and said the body had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

Premium Times, carrying a News Agency of Nigeria report, identified the other defendants as Gideon Atama, 32, and Clever Ovo. It named the alleged victims as Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, Paramount Ruler Kolibo Francis Amabelimo and Samuel Oburo.

Premium Times reported that the adjournment followed the judge’s absence, while Punch described Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi as having adjourned the case.

Punch reported that police spokesperson Musa Mohammed said he was unaware of the incident when contacted. The immediate cause of death had not been established.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times