RismadarVoice Reporters
October 7, 2026
A 50-year-old murder suspect, Bethlehem Nwanlia, has died after collapsing shortly after appearing before the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa.
Nwanlia was standing trial alongside two other defendants over allegations of conspiracy, kidnapping and the murder of three people in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The incident occurred at Court 11 shortly after Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi adjourned judgment in the case until October 27, 2026.
Nwanlia reportedly complained of chest pain before collapsing in the court’s holding area.
Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers at the court reportedly moved to assist him while medical attention was sought.
He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His remains were deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
The Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Judiciary, Enoch Okunobo, confirmed the incident, saying Nwanlia had regularly appeared before the court in connection with the criminal proceedings.
Nwanlia and the two other defendants had been facing trial over the alleged killing of three people in Kalaba community in 2022. Judgment had not been delivered before his death.
There were reports that Nwanlia had experienced health challenges while in custody, but authorities had not established whether those issues were connected to his death.
The Bayelsa State Police Command said it was making inquiries into the incident after its spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the command had not initially been informed.
As of the time of filing this report, the immediate cause of Nwanlia’s death had not been officially established and remained subject to medical confirmation.
