A 50-year-old man standing trial over the deaths of three people collapsed and died at a High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, shortly after the judge adjourned judgment in his case.
Collapse at Court 11 After Adjournment
Bethlehem Nwanlia was in the dock on Tuesday with two co-defendants, facing charges of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder over the alleged killing of three people in the Kalaba community of Yenagoa Local Government Area. The alleged killings date back to 2022.
According to reports, Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi adjourned judgment in the case until 27 October 2026. Shortly afterwards, Nwanlia reportedly complained of chest pain and collapsed in the holding area of Court 11.
Rescue Efforts and Confirmation of Death
Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers were said to have rushed to help him and tried to revive him while medical staff were called. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and his body was later placed in the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
The spokesman for the Bayelsa State Judiciary, Enoch Okunobo, confirmed the death, saying "somebody collapsed and died today." He added that Nwanlia had been a regular attendee at the court throughout the case.
Charges Not Determined
The court had not ruled on the allegations against Nwanlia or his co-defendants before his death, so none of the charges against him were ever determined. It was not immediately clear how his death affects the proceedings, and no further details were provided on the circumstances of his collapse.
