The Bayelsa State Government is set to arraign a key suspect over Justice Omukoro’s 2025 Kidnap, marking a significant step in the prosecution of those allegedly involved in the abduction of Bayelsa High Court Judge, Justice E.G. Omukoro.
Impeccable sources confirmed that the Office of the Attorney-General has concluded arrangements to prosecute Ogbonna-Otu Emizibo Dennis, popularly known as “Ogbono,” over his alleged involvement in the June 2025 kidnapping.
Key Highlights
- Bayelsa State Government to arraign key suspect in Justice Omukoro’s 2025 Kidnap.
- Suspect to face four-count charge, including kidnapping, conspiracy and attempted murder.
- Prosecution to be handled by the Bayelsa State Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Police say Justice Omukoro identified the suspect during an identification parade.
- Investigators allege suspect supplied the vehicle used in the abduction.
- State may seek temporary forfeiture of property allegedly linked to the kidnapping.
The 39-year-old suspect, an indigene of Ekeremor Local Government Area, is expected to appear before Bayelsa State High Court 4 in Yenagoa.
Judicial sources disclosed that the defendant will be arraigned on 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 Director of Public Prosecutions, Peretimi Judith Peterside.
Police Investigation
According to police sources, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, placed the suspect under surveillance for more than five months before his eventual arrest.
Investigators alleged that Justice Omukoro identified Dennis during an identification parade as one of those connected with his abduction.
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Police further claimed that the suspect supplied the white Hilux vehicle allegedly used to intercept the judge’s vehicle before he was kidnapped.
During interrogation, Dennis reportedly stated that the Hilux vehicle had been returned to its owner, a retired Brigadier General, after he completed a driving assignment.
However, investigators said evidence gathered during the investigation, including witness statements, contradicted the claim, alleging that the vehicle remained in the suspect’s possession at the time of the kidnapping.
Additional Allegations
Investigators also linked the suspect to a property located along School Road, Edepie, which they alleged served as a planning base for the kidnapping operation.
The property was further alleged to have been used in planning the earlier abduction of hotel owner Aladei Godsave.
Police said a motorcycle recovered from the suspect’s residence was allegedly owned by dismissed and wanted Police Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede.
According to investigators, the motorcycle was used to transport food and other supplies to kidnap victims held at a camp in the Orkaki bush between Bayelsa and Rivers states.
Property Forfeiture Under Kidnapping Law
Sources within the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice disclosed that investigators have recommended the invocation of Section 7 of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law, 2013.
The provision allows for the temporary forfeiture of property allegedly connected with kidnapping offences pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Legal practitioners have commended the Bayelsa State Police Command and the Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, as well as the VCRU, for what they described as a thorough investigation leading to the prosecution of suspects.
Justice Omukoro was abducted by masked gunmen in Yenagoa on June 21, 2025, after his vehicle was intercepted by a white Hilux.
He spent 12 days in captivity before regaining his freedom unharmed on July 3, 2025.
Police investigations had earlier resulted in the arrest of several suspects, some of whom reportedly made statements linking themselves to the crime. The arraignment of Dennis is expected to mark the next phase of the prosecution.
