Bayelsa court sentences two to death for triple murder

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

A Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced two men to death by hanging for their roles in the killing of three people, including an in-law of Governor Douye Diri, in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The convicts, Gideon Atama, 32, and Clever Ovo, 33, were found guilty of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2022 killings.

The victims were identified as Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, an in-law of the governor; Kolibo Francis Amabelimo, the paramount ruler of Kalaba community; and Samuel Oburo, chairman of the community development committee (CDC).

The two men were arrested by detectives attached to the Police Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), formerly known as Operation Puff Adder. The investigation was led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

Following the investigation, the defendants were charged before the court in suit number BYHC/YHC/CR/32/2025.

Another defendant, 50-year-old Bethlehem Nwanlia, reportedly slumped and died within the premises of the Bayelsa State High Court on October 27 while awaiting the court’s ruling.

Nwanlia was said to have developed complications associated with hypertension and stroke while in custody at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre.

Delivering judgment, Justice Michael Amadise Ekade convicted Atama and Ovo and sentenced them to death by hanging after evaluating the evidence presented during the trial.

Some relatives of the deceased commended the VCRU investigation team, led by CSP Nwaogbo, for apprehending the suspects and conducting the investigation.

They also praised the Bayelsa State Government, particularly the Ministry of Justice, for what they described as a diligent prosecution of the case.