Uproar in Bayelsa Court as Celebrity Kidnappers Seek Bail on Health Grounds
Tension gripped the Bayelsà State High Court yesterday as two alleged celebrity kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, requested bail on health grounds amid their ongoing trial for multiple abductions in the state.
The accused, who were arrested in 2022, stand trial for the alleged kidnapping of Danjuma Omieje of Premium Trust Bank (formerly Sterling Bank), owner of Lozzy Supermarket, and several Igbo businessmen in Bayelsà. Emmanuel Charles Angasei is also linked to the reported abduction of Nancy Dickson, junior sister to former Governor and current Senator, Chief Seriake Dickson. Their arrests, by the Operation Puff Adder unit led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, were widely publicized due to Angasei’s connection as an in-law to former APC governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon.
The accused were arraigned on November 10, 2022, in Suit No. YHC/77C/2022 on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit felony.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Justice I. Eradiri presided over heated arguments after the accused sought bail citing health concerns. The State Prosecuting Counsel, Barr. Iyobosa, challenged the claims, describing them as potentially false, while the defense lawyers, Barr. Stanley Damabide and Barr. Ebiki, insisted their clients were entitled to medical examination.
Justice Eradiri subsequently ordered that Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike undergo independent medical examinations at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) on Friday, March 6, 2026. The judge directed that representatives from Operation Puff Adder, the Department of Public Prosecution, and the defense team be present during the examination.
The bail request sparked unrest in the courtroom, with plain-clothed police officers and spectators expressing concerns over the accused’s alleged special treatment in custody. A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, alleged that the accused enjoyed “first-class” privileges at Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre, including conjugal visits and a lavish birthday celebration with food from a popular Yenagoa eatery.
Some police officers warned that granting bail could jeopardize public safety. “Since the arrest of this gang, the state has enjoyed relative peace,” one officer said. “If bail is granted, they may regroup and plunge the state into crisis. The safety of the arresting officers is also a concern.”
The accused reportedly indicated intentions to file a counter-appeal for bail at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt should the Bayelsà court reject their request.
The case remains a major talking point across the state, highlighting concerns over criminal justice, public safety, and the treatment of high-profile suspects.
