There was uproar at the Bayelsa State High Court following a request by suspected celebrity kidnappers for bail on health grounds over their continued incarceration and trial for alleged involvement in a series of abductions in the state.

The two arrested celebrity kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angase and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 for the alleged kidnapping of one Danjuma Omieje of Premium Trust Bank (formerly known as Sterling Bank), the owner of Lozzy Supermarket, and some selected Igbo businessmen in the state.

The suspected kidnappers were also alleged to be involved in the kidnapping of Nancy Dickson, the younger sister of the former governor and now senator, Seriake Dickson.

They were arrested by men of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, and arraigned at the state High Court on 10 November 2022, in a suit numbered YHC/77C/2022, on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit felony.

There was, however, drama in court following the request by the two accused for bail on health grounds.

The presiding judge, Justice Ibiikte Ine‑Eradiri, after hearing the objections raised by the state prosecuting counsel, Mr Iyobosa, on the alleged false claims presented by the accused, ordered that they should be medically re‑examined.

Counsel to the accused, Stanley Damabide, argued that his clients are entitled to a medical examination.

The trial judge, however, ordered that the investigating police team of Operation Puff Adder, a representative of the DPP, Barr. Iyobosa, and the defence team should be present when the two accused are taken to the Federal Medical Centre for an independent medical examination on Friday, 6 March 2026.

The request for bail by the suspected kidnappers has not gone down well with the Nigerian police.

A senior police officer from the state Police Command, who pleaded anonymity, stated that the claims of ill health presented by the accused were false and should be diligently examined.

He claimed that the accused, while at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre, were enjoying first‑class and celebrity treatment, with conjugal visits allegedly approved, and had a lavish birthday party with fellow prisoners with food supplied from a popular eatery at Ekeki in Yenagoa.

Some of the police personnel at the court expressed concern over the safety of the arresting officers and alleged that the accused had boasted of their readiness to file a counter‑request for bail at the Court of Appeal In Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“We are worried that if such bail is granted, the peace being enjoyed in Yenagoa may end. Since the arrest of this kidnapping gang, the state has witnessed peace. They may regroup and throw the state into crisis,” one officer said. (The Sun)