Rescued Bayelsa judge says government had nothing to do with his abduction

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - The rescued Bayelsa State judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, has absolved the state government of any involvement in his kidnapping in a “Thank-you” he made post on Facebook.

Omukoro spent 12 days in captivity after gunmen seized him at an eatery on June 21 and was rescued on July 3 through collaborative efforts by the government and security agencies.

While he was in captivity, there were insinuations that the manner of his kidnapping was suggestive of government involvement, while others alleged it was linked to a judgment he delivered in a high-profile case.

Omukoro wrote on Wednesday, “However, for record purposes, I wish to emphasise that conspiracy theories peddled about alleged government involvement in my kidnapping are not correct as my abductors were clearly propelled by the desire to collect a ransom rather than to do any harm to me.

“Indeed, they did not have any idea about who or what I was and certainly nothing about my identity as a judge, as they had assumed from the nature of the car I drove that I was a politician.

“In the circumstances, I can safely say that my kidnapping was random and had nothing to do with any judgement I had delivered earlier.

“Rest assured, however, that my commitment to justice dispensation remains unshakable.”

Earlier in the post, he expressed appreciation to all those who contributed to his release including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kekere Ekun, and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, among others.

He wrote: “Words are not enough to express my gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Kekere Ekun, His Excellency the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council including His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State and Hon Commissioners, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, the President of the Bayelsa State Customary Court of Appeal, and other Hon Judges; Hon Peremobowei Ebebi, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, the Director of State Security, Bayelsa State Command, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, the President/members of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chairmen/members of the Yenagoa and Sagbama branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chairman and members of the Nigeria.”