John Ike Lyon, a suspected celebrity kidnapper, and his accomplice, Emmanuel Angase, were arraigned on a 14-count charge involving conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping, and armed robbery. A minor drama ensued on the grounds of the Bayelsa State Judiciary Complex in Yenagoa.
The suspects demanded to speak to the press as they were about to be led into the waiting police van after entering a not guilty plea to the 14-count charge before Justice Ineikad Eradiri of Bayelsa State High Court 6, claiming that they were being threatened in the police custody.
The suspects then insisted on being taken to the Yenagoa Prisons as the presiding judge had instructed and refused to get into the police Hilux van.
However, when their attorney informed them that the judge had not yet signed their prison remand order, the police forced them into the police van.
John Lyon began sobbing and protesting that his health was getting worse while he was in the custody of the police.
Earlier, the suspects while taking their plea before Justice Eradiri pleaded not guilty to all the 14-count charge.
According to the count read out by the court clerk, John Lyon Ike, Emmanuel Charles Angase and others at large were charged on four counts of “conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 444 sub (a) of the criminal code law, Cap (C) Laws of Bayelsa State, 2006.
They were also charged on eight counts of “kidnapping contrary to Section 2 sub (1) of the Kidnapping and Other Offences Laws of Bayelsa State 2013,” and a further two counts of armed robbery, contrary to Section 329 sub (2 ) of the criminal code law, cap ‘C’ of Bayelsa State, 2006.”
The defense team for the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Apulu Iyabosa, requested in person that the accused be held in custody at the Yenagoa Prisons.
The prosecution’s attorney requested that the accused be remanded in prison custody, and the trial judge, Justice Eradiri, granted their request.
