
…We have CCTV footage of the incident – Diri assured Bayelsans …As NBA boycott court
Today 30th June 2025 makes it exactly Ten days (10) after a High Court judge was kidnapped in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital
On the 21st of June 2025, a deeply disturbing and tragic event occurred in the heart of Yenagoa where Honorable Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a distinguished Judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, was brazenly whisked away in front of the popular Kilimanjaro eatery opposite the Ekeki motor Park by unknown gunmen.
Justice Omukoro has since remained in captivity with no information about his condition or whereabout. More disturbing is the eerie silence from the authorities: the Bayelsa State Government, the Judiciary, and relevant security agencies have all failed to provide updates or show visible urgency in securing his release.
NAlJA LIVE TV recall a statement from the Bayelsa state government through the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoting Governor Douye Diri of directing the Security Commanders in the state to ensure the release of Justice Ebieyerin Omukoro.
According to the statement, the governor speaking in Sagbama town during his ‘Thank-You’ tour to Sagbama Local Government Area, warned criminals and their sponsors to retrace their steps noting that there is no hiding place for them following the state government’s investment in closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and other security gadgets, saying that the abductors of the Judge were caught on CCTV cameras and their identities would be revealed through investigation.
Governor Diri said;
”From the minute I was informed about the high profile kidnap of a judge of the state high court, l summoned security commanders in the state and gave them directive to ensure that the judge comes out alive and fit.
”Let me tell those that are either sponsors or are involved in the kidnap, it is time to give up. You cannot terrorise and intimidate your own people.
“Government has invested so much in the security sector and the installed closed circuit television cameras captured footages of the incident.”
The Bayelsa helmsman again assured that the state High Court Judge will regain his freedom when he spoke at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion in Yenagoa during his ‘Thank-You’ tour grand finale. The governor, repeating, noted that there are available footages of the incident through the recently installed CCTV cameras in Yenagoa the state capital which are aiding the government’s efforts.
“Your government has invested so much in security and we recently installed CCTV cameras in Yenagoa.
“There is no state without some level of insecurity. No government can give you total security. But we will continue to solve the issues as they arise.
“The recent gestapo-style kidnap of a high court Judge was unfortunate and condemnable. But we picked up footage of the incident that we are using to ensure he is released,” Governor Douye Diri.
However, for over 10days now, there is no report ascertaining the condition of the hostaged Judge, neither his whereabout nor his safety known, leaving many questions begging for answers.
NBA YENAGOA BRANCH BOYCOTT COURT PROCESSES
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa Branch, in condemnation of the incident, announced a solidarity boycott of all Court processes. The chapter, in a protest letter on Monday 24th June, 2025, described the abduction of the judge as a direct assault on the judiciary and a grave threat to the rule of law.
NAIJA LIVE TV recall the Yenagoa Branch’s Chairman, Somina Johnbull, explained that the chapter would be boycotting activities in the court as a solemn but powerful demonstration of solidarity with the abducted judge. According to him, it is important for security agencies across the country to intensify efforts towards the safe rescue of the jurist.
Johnbull said although members of the NBA had planned to embark on a protest against security agencies including the Department of State Services, they would rather boycott court processes and hold a press conference in that regard.
“This is not merely an attack on Justice Omukoro as an individual. It is an attack on the entire justice system and the independence of the judiciary. We are deeply concerned about the rising trend of insecurity, especially targeted attacks on judicial officers,” Johnbull said.
NIGERIA POLICE, BAYELSA COMMAND
NAIJA LIVE TV also recall that the authorities of the Bayelsa State Police Command in a statement issued by the Commissioner, Francis Idu, declared that the police is working with other security agencies to analyse the well formatted crime mapping sketches and there is progress in the ongoing rescue efforts.
In a statement, Commissioner Idu recounted the Public concerns, especially the mode of dressing of the armed men who took the Judge away, noting that it is a necessary guide in the ongoing investigation.
He said;
“The Bayelsa Police Command is fussing efforts with other security agencies and reviewing video clips, with other digital footages, related to the event. We have well formatted crime mapping sketches that is aiding ongoing law enforcement efforts being mustered in the rescue efforts.”
“Guarantees are herewith given that this singular incident, should not orchestrate any mistrust between the Bayelsa Public and security forces within the state.”
But worrisome is the fact that the Judge’s whereabout remained unknown after several days and particularly the mode of dressing of the abductors.
Justice Omukoro, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Sagbama Branch, and a well-known legal figure in Bayelsa was abducted around 7:00 pm on Saturday 21st of June, 2025, (few days to his birthday) in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa. He was reportedly accosted by armed men dressed in uniforms and forced into a Toyota Hilux van.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the judge may have stopped at the location for dinner when he was confronted. A video circulating on social media shows the moment he was forcibly taken into the vehicle.
While his abductors are yet to contact his family or relatives, one is forced to ask if it was a kidnap incident or an arrest. The question then comes again; where is Justice Omukoro?
To Advertise or Publish a Story on NaijaLiveTv:
Kindly contact us @ Naijalivetv@gmail.com
Call or Whatsapp: 07035262029, 07016666694, 08129340000