The Bayelsa State Government will on Monday, March 16, 2026, arraign five suspects accused of the murder of 42-year-old estate agent Richard Ekpebu.
Ekpebu was allegedly abducted and killed over a disputed land sale deal. His body was discovered dumped in a bush along the New Otuoke Road near Bayelsa Palm on July 24, 2025.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder, a police tactical team led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, following extensive investigations spanning Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa.
Those facing arraignment include the prime suspect, 40-year-old George Idumange; his girlfriend, 23-year-old Henry Victory Bernard; Ekiamene Amaoniye Alex (alias Cash Money), a purported personnel of Okaka Medium Correctional Centre with the rank equivalent to ASP; 34-year-old Imaremi Gold Ibo (alias Police); Queen Felix, sister of the key suspect; and 35-year-old Henry Igwe.
The suspects will appear before Justice Raphael Ajuwa at State High Court 5 in Yenagoa under suit number BYHC/YHC/CR/19/2026.
According to the charge sheet, they will face multiple counts, including conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, murder, conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, conspiracy to destroy evidence, destroying evidence, and illegal possession of firearms.
Ekiamene Amaoniye Alex (alias Cash Money) is specifically charged with illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle received without licence and conspiracy to destroy evidence.
Sources indicate that the Nigerian Correctional Service has not acknowledged his employment status despite inquiries from the Bayelsa State Police Command.
Queen Felix faces additional allegations of forgery and presenting a falsified deed of conveyance for land in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, as proof of ownership to police investigators at the Special Enquiry Bureau.
The case is being prosecuted by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), led by Barr. Peretimi Judith Peterside.
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