Murder Suspect Collapses and Dies After Bayelsa Court Session

Post created on 3:17 pm

A 50-year-old murder suspect, Bethlehem Nwanlia, has died after collapsing shortly after a court appearance at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Nwanlia was standing trial alongside two co-defendants over alleged conspiracy, kidnapping, and the murder of three residents in the Kalaba community of Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The incident occurred at Court 11 shortly after the presiding judge, Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi, adjourned judgment in the long-standing matter to October 27, 2026.

According to court eyewitnesses, Nwanlia suddenly complained of severe chest pain before collapsing in the holding area. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel confirmed him dead, and his body was subsequently deposited at the Federal Medical Centre mortuary in Yenagoa.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Judiciary, Enoch Okunobo, stated that the deceased had been attending court proceedings regularly in connection with the trial prior to his sudden collapse.