The Bayelsa State High Court has fixed Monday, March 9th, 2026, for further hearing on the application for bail by the two notorious “celebrity” kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike.
Just as the authorities of the Okaka Medium Correctional Prison on Friday rejected the order of the State High Court on the release of two kidnappers in their custody for medical re-examination over their request for bail on health grounds.
The request for bail on health grounds by the two arrested celebrity kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, had thrown the court into a frenzy, with police personnel and judicial staff expressing reservations.
The presiding judge, Justice I.Eradiri of the High 4 of the State High Court, had, following arguments from Ayibatekena Bruce Ebiki Esq., counsel to the first defendant, Emmanuel Charles Angasei, requesting bail on health grounds, ordered that the accused be taken to the Federal Medical Centre for medical re-examination.
Justice Eradiri also directed that the arresting officers of Operation Puff Adder, the representatives of the DPP and the defence counsels should be present under tight security for the medical examination.
But it was gathered at the weekend that the movement of the accused persons from Okaka Medium Correctional Prison, according to the court order, on Friday, the 6th of March, 2026, was frustrated by prison personnel who cited wrong timing.
Sources claimed the prison officials, despite the DPP officials showing them a copy of the court order, refused to release the kidnappers, insisting they were not given enough time.
Attempts to speak with the officials of the Okaka Medium Correctional Prison failed as our correspondent was asked to present an official letter for the interview. “Our boss needs to approve speaking with you.”
The two arrested celebrity kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 for the alleged kidnapping of one Danjuma Omieje of the Premium Trust Bank (formerly known as Sterling Bank), the owner of Lozzy Supermarket, and some selected Igbogene businessmen in the state.
The arrest of the two accused was celebrated in the media due to the social involvement of one of the accused before he was arrested. He was seen on Facebook flashing hard currency after an alleged ransom payment by an unidentified victim.
They were arrested by the men of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, and arraigned at the State High Court on the 10th of November, 2022, in a suit numbered YHC/77c/2022 on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a felony.
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