Bethlehem Nwanlia, a 50-year-old murder suspect, reportedly collapsed and died shortly after proceedings began at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Nwanlia was standing trial with two other defendants over alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and multiple murder at Court 11.
The incident happened after Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi adjourned judgment in the case to October 27, 2026. Nwanlia reportedly held his chest before collapsing in the court’s holding area.
Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers tried to revive him but were unsuccessful. A medical personnel was later called, while his body was taken to a hospital for further confirmation.
Bayelsa State Judiciary’s Public Relations Officer, Enoch Okunobo, confirmed the death.
“Somebody collapsed and died today. He was a murder suspect, who had been coming to court. His corpse has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC),” Okunobo said.
Nwanlia and the other defendants were accused over the 2022 killing of three people in Kalaba community, Yenagoa LGA. The case had not been decided before his death.
Reports said Nwanlia had suffered health complications in custody, but his cause of death remained unknown.
