A High Court in Bayelsa State, sitting in Yenagoa, has sentenced two men to death 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 judgment, delivered on Thursday, April 16, 2026, found Mr. Felix Oburu and Mr. Anthony Kio Eligwe guilty of kidnapping. Oburu is from Omoku Community in Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area, while Eligwe hails from Oyigba Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The court heard that they carried out the crime alongside accomplices who are still at large.
According to the prosecution, Mrs. Omietimi was abducted on September 17, 2017, and held for several weeks in Oyigba Community before being released after a ransom was paid.
The suspects were later arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following intelligence-led investigations that led to their capture.
In delivering judgment in the case, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda A. Ayemieye, upheld the prosecution’s arguments, convicted the defendants, and sentenced them to death by hanging.
During the trial, the victim testified and gave a detailed account of her experience, identifying Eligwe as the person in whose residence she was held throughout her captivity. Her testimony was supported by the DSS investigating officer, who explained how the suspects were tracked and apprehended.
Reacting to the ruling, the Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), described the verdict as a strong statement against kidnapping and related crimes.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to upholding justice and maintaining law and order, adding that the administration of Governor Douye Diri remains focused on protecting lives and property across the state.
