Bayelsa Ministry of Justice Arraigns Suspect in Judge Omukoro’s Abduction Case
The Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice is set to arraign a key suspect in connection with the June 2025 abduction of Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice E. G. Omukoro.
The suspect, 39-year-old Ogbonna-Otu Emizibo Dennis, popularly known as “Ogbono,” an indigene of Ekeremor Local Government Area, is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, before High Court 4 in Yenagoa.
Judicial sources disclosed that the defendant will 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 Ministry of Justice, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Peretimi Judith Peterside Esq.
Police sources said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, reportedly kept the suspect’s residence under surveillance for over five months before his arrest.
According to the sources, the suspect was identified by Justice Omukoro during a suspect parade.
It was also alleged that he supplied the white Toyota Hilux vehicle used in the judge’s abduction.
During investigation, the suspect reportedly claimed that the hilux, had been returned to its owner, a retired Brigadier General, after the assignment.
However, investigators said a close family member disputed that account, alleging that the vehicle remained in the suspect’s possession at the time of the abduction.
Investigators further alleged that the suspect owns a house along School Road in Edepie, Yenagoa, which the kidnapping syndicate allegedly used as a planning base for the abduction of both Justice Omukoro and businessman Aladei Godsave, owner of Ruthmore Hotel.
Police also said officers recovered a motorcycle from the suspect’s compound, which they allege belonged to dismissed and wanted Police Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede.
According to investigators, the motorcycle was allegedly used to procure food and other supplies for victims held at a camp in the Orkaki bush, located along the Bayelsa-Rivers State boundary.
Sources within the Ministry of Justice further disclosed that the police investigation team recommended that the Bayelsa State Government invoke Section 7 of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law, 2013, to seek the temporary forfeiture of the suspect’s house pending the conclusion of the trial.
Meanwhile, legal practitioners in the state have commended the Bayelsa State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Iyamah Daniel Edebor, and the VCRU for what they described as a diligent investigation aimed at ensuring that those responsible for the crime are prosecuted.
Justice E. G. Omukoro was abducted by masked gunmen in Yenagoa on June 21, 2025, after his vehicle was intercepted by a white Hilux. He was held captive for 12 days before regaining his freedom on July 3, 2025.
Police investigations into the incident led to the arrest of several suspects, including some in Ekeremor Local Government Area.
Investigations had earlier disclosed that some suspects claimed they did not initially target the judge but abducted him after encountering him, before holding him in captivity for nearly two weeks.
The arraignment of Ogbonna-Otu Emizibo Dennis marks a significant step in the prosecution of suspects linked to one of Bayelsa State’s most high-profile kidnapping cases.
