Court remands suspect in Bayelsa judge’s kidnap case

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

A Bayelsa State High Court has remanded a 39-year-old man, Ogbonna-Otu Emizibo Dennis, popularly known as “Ogbono”, in prison custody over the alleged abduction of Justice E.G. Omukoro and adjourned the case until 14 July for further hearing.

Dennis was arraigned before Justice I. Eradiri of High Court 4 in Yenagoa on four counts bordering in conspiracy to commit a felony, kidnapping, conspiracy to inflict grievous bodily harm and attempted murder.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Peretimi Judith Peterside, who led the prosecution, applied for his remand pending trial. Justice Eradiri granted the application and ordered that the defendant remain in prison custody until the next hearing.

Dennis was arrested after months of investigation by operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS).

He had earlier been declared wanted in connection with the abduction of Justice Omukoro.

According to police sources, operatives kept the suspect’s residence in Yenagoa under surveillance for more than five months before arresting him when he returned.

Investigators alleged that Justice Omukoro identified Dennis during an identification parade. Police also claimed that the suspect supplied the white Toyota Hilux vehicle allegedly used in the judge’s abduction.

During interrogation, Dennis allegedly told investigators that he had returned the vehicle to its owner, a retired Brigadier General, after completing a driving assignment. However, police said a close relative disputed the claim, alleging that the suspect was still in possession of the vehicle when the judge was kidnapped.

Police further alleged that Dennis owns a house on School Road in Edepie, Yenagoa, which investigators believe served as a planning base for the gang before the abductions of hotel owner Aladei Godsave and Justice Omukoro.

A motorcycle was also recovered from the suspect’s compound during the operation. Investigators alleged that it belonged to dismissed Police Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede, who remains at large.

According to the police, the motorcycle was used to transport food and other supplies to kidnap victims held at the gang’s hideout in the Orkaki forest along the Bayelsa–River’s boundary.

Justice Omukoro was abducted 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 have led to the arrest of several other suspects, including some apprehended in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Investigators also alleged that some of the suspects told detectives that Justice Omukoro was not their intended target but was held captive for nearly two weeks after the abduction.