Two suspects were brought before the Kaima High Court in Yenagoa by the Bayelsa Police Command on Friday, facing charges of conspiracy and attempted kidnapping of Mr. Ebi Ayama, famously known as Americana and brother to Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri.
The accused individuals, identified as Lucky Oghenebrume, aged 53, and Omobowho Okpowodo, aged 52, were apprehended by the Operation Puff Adder unit in November 2023 at Mbiama community in Rivers State, following a thorough investigation spurred by intelligence gathering.
Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty as they stand trial in the Kaima High Court under suit number BYH/KHC/CR/2/2024.
The police prosecution asserted that Oghenebrume, alleged to be the mastermind, had been on the State Police Command’s wanted list due to his suspected involvement in the abduction of an individual named Fyneman in Sagbama, Bayelsa, where a ransom of N50 million was reportedly paid. Oghenebrume, a resident of Mbiama community, purportedly conducted his activities from a large compound and relocated his family to Delta State to evade detection.
The second suspect, Omobowho Okpowodo, reportedly owns a motor mechanic workshop where the victim, Ayama, frequently had his vehicles repaired. The prosecution claimed that Okpowodo was heard discussing plans to kidnap Ayama as he traveled from Ekeremor Local Government Area.
Presiding Judge Justice Timipre Songi has adjourned the proceedings until February 27th.
