Bayelsa Court sentences 2 to death for kidnapping

Friday, April 17, 2026 - A High Court of Bayelsa State sitting in Yenagoa on Thursday, April 16, 2026, sentenced two men to d3ath by hanging for the abduction of Mrs. Grace Omietimi, mother of the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Dr. James Omietimi.

The convicts, Mr. Felix Oburu, a native of Omoku Community in Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area, and Mr. Anthony Kio Eligwe, from Oyigba Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area, both in Rivers State, were found to have conspired with accomplices still at large to carry out the crime.

The court heard that the defendants abducted Mrs. Omietimi on September 17, 2017, and held her captive in Oyigba Community for several weeks before releasing her after the payment of ransom.

They were subsequently apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following intelligence-led operations that tracked their activities.

Delivering judgment in Charge No. YHC/60C/218, in the case of The State v. Felix Oburu & Anthony Kio Eligwe, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Matilda A. Ayemieye, upheld the prosecution’s case, found the defendants guilty as charged, and sentenced them to death by hanging.

During the trial, the prosecution presented the victim, Mrs. Grace Omietimi, who gave a detailed account of her ordeal. 

She identified the second defendant, Mr. Anthony Kio Eligwe, as the individual in whose residence she was held throughout her captivity.

Her testimony was corroborated by the Investigating Officer from the DSS, Bayelsa State Command, who narrated how the suspects were tracked and arrested.

Reacting to the judgment, the Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN, welcomed the verdict, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards kidnapping and related crimes.

He assured residents of the government’s continued commitment to the enforcement of justice and the rule of law, noting that the Prosperity Administration under Governor Douye Diri remains resolute in safeguarding lives and property across the State.