A 50-year-old murder suspect, Bethlehem Nwanlia, has died after he reportedly collapsed shortly after appearing before the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa.

Nwanlia was facing trial alongside two other defendants over allegations of conspiracy, kidnapping and the murder of three people in Kalaba community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The incident occurred at Court 11 on Tuesday, shortly after Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi adjourned the case until October 27, 2026, for judgment.

Nwanlia was said to have complained of chest pain before suddenly collapsing in the court’s holding area.

Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers reportedly rushed to assist him and attempted to revive him before medical personnel were contacted.

He was later taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His remains were subsequently deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

The Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Judiciary, Enoch Okunobo, confirmed the incident, saying Nwanlia had been a regular attendee at the court in connection with the criminal case.

“Somebody collapsed and died today. He was a murder suspect who had been coming to court. His corpse has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC),” Okunobo said.

The death reportedly caused confusion among court officials, lawyers, security personnel and others at the premises.

Nwanlia and the two other defendants had been standing trial over the alleged killing of three people in Kalaba community in 2022.

However, the court had not reached a final determination on the allegations against them before Nwanlia died.

Sources said the deceased had experienced health challenges while in custody, but authorities had yet to establish whether they were connected to his death.

The Bayelsa State Police Command said it was not immediately aware of the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said he would make inquiries and provide further information.

“I am not aware of the incident,” Mohammed said.

As of the time of filing the report, no further details had been released on the circumstances surrounding Nwanlia’s death.

The immediate cause of death remains unknown pending medical confirmation.