Bayelsa arraigns prime suspect in judge’s kidnap
The Bayelsa State Government is to arraign the prime suspect in the 2025 abduction of Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice E.G. Omukoro, before a State High Court in Yenagoa.
The suspect, 39-year-old Ogbonna-Otu Emizibo Dennis, popularly known as “Ogbono”, is scheduled to appear before High Court 4 on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, to face a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping, conspiracy to cause grievous harm and attempted murder.
*Suspect
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government is to arraign the prime suspect in the 2025 abduction of Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice E.G. Omukoro, before a State High Court in Yenagoa.
The suspect, 39-year-old Ogbonna-Otu Emizibo Dennis, popularly known as “Ogbono”, is scheduled to appear before High Court 4 on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, to face a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping, conspiracy to cause grievous harm and attempted murder.
The case, marked BYHC/YHC/CR/44/2026, will be prosecuted by the Bayelsa State Director of Public Prosecutions, Peretimi Judith Peterside, following the conclusion of investigations by the Office of the Attorney-General.
According to police sources, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, kept the suspect’s residence under surveillance for more than five months before his arrest.
Investigators alleged that Justice Omukoro identified Dennis during an identification parade as one of those involved in his abduction.
Police further alleged that the suspect supplied the white Toyota Hilux allegedly used to block the judge’s vehicle before he was kidnapped.
During interrogation, Dennis reportedly claimed that “the Hilux had been returned to its owner, a retired Brigadier General, after completing a driving assignment.” However, investigators said witness statements and other evidence contradicted that claim, alleging that the vehicle remained in the suspect’s possession at the time of the kidnapping.
Investigators also alleged that Dennis was linked to a house on School Road, Edepie, which they believe served as a planning base for the abduction. The property was also allegedly used to plan the earlier kidnapping of hotel owner Aladei Godsave.
Police said they recovered a motorcycle from the suspect’s residence during the investigation. Investigators alleged that the motorcycle belonged to a dismissed and wanted Police Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede and was used to transport food and other supplies to kidnap victims held at a camp in the Orkaki bush along the Bayelsa-Rivers border.
Sources at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice said investigators had recommended invoking Section 7 of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law, 2013, which “provides for the temporary forfeiture of property allegedly connected with kidnapping pending the outcome of prosecution.”
Justice Omukoro was kidnapped by masked gunmen in Yenagoa on 21 June 2025 after his vehicle was intercepted by a white Toyota Hilux. He regained his freedom unharmed on 3 July 2025 after spending 12 days in captivity.
Police investigations had earlier led to the arrest of several other suspects, some of whom reportedly made confessional statements regarding their alleged involvement in the crime.
Legal practitioners commended the Bayelsa State Police Command, Commissioner of Police Iyamah Daniel Edebor and the VCRU for the investigation, describing it as “a significant step towards ensuring those linked to serious crimes are brought to justice.”
