There was tension at the Bayelsa State High Court following a request by two alleged “celebrity kidnappers” to be granted bail on health grounds amid their ongoing trial for alleged involvement in a series of abductions in the state.
The accused, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 over the alleged kidnapping of Danjuma Omieje, an official of Premium Trust Bank (formerly Sterling Bank), the owner of Lozzy Supermarket, and several Igbo businessmen in the state.
Their arrest generated significant media attention due to their reported relationship with Chief David Lyon, the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Emmanuel Charles Angasei was reportedly related to him by marriage.
Angasei was also allegedly linked to the kidnapping of Nancy Dickson, the younger sister of 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 arraigned before the Bayelsa State High Court on November 10, 2022, in a case marked YHC/77c/2022 on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Drama, however, unfolded in court when the accused persons applied for bail on health grounds.
The presiding judge, Justice I. Eradiri, after listening to objections from the state prosecuting counsel, Barr. Iyobosa, who questioned the authenticity of the medical claims, ordered that the suspects undergo an independent medical examination.
Counsel to the accused, Barr. Stanley Damabide and Barr. Ebiki, argued that their clients were entitled to proper medical evaluation.
Justice Eradiri subsequently ordered that the accused be taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for an independent medical examination. He directed that representatives of the Operation Puff Adder investigative team, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the defence team be present during the examination scheduled for March 6, 2026.
During the proceedings, a police officers and spectators reportedly expressed concerns over the bail request.
A senior police officer from the Bayelsa State Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the suspects’ claims of ill health should be thoroughly scrutinized.
The officer also claimed that while being held at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre the suspects were allegedly enjoying special privileges.
Some police personnel at the court also expressed concerns about the safety of the officers involved in the arrest and investigation.
One officer warned that granting bail to the suspects could threaten the relative peace currently enjoyed in Yenagoa.
“We are worried that if bail is granted, the peace currently enjoyed in Yenagoa may be disrupted. Since the arrest of this gang, the state has experienced relative calm,” the officer said.
The case continues as the court awaits the outcome of the ordered medical examination.
