Abuja socialite John Lyon arraigned for alleged kidnapping

Bayelsa State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned a suspected kidnap kingpin John Ewa alias John Lyon and his accomplice Emmanuel Angase before a High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to the 14- count of kidnapping, armed robbery and criminal felony preferred against them.

John Lyon was known for flaunting his flamboyant lifestyle on social media.

In view of the plea, Bayelsa State director of public prosecution, Apulu Iyabosa, who is also the prosecution counsel, said the briefs of the case were served on the defendants’ counsel and prayed for a trial date.

Counsel for the defendants Francis Gbaionna said he had not received the statement of charges from the prosecution lawyer, adding that he had no objection to the application.

Justice I. Eradiri ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Okaka Correctional Centre, Yenagoa.

Eradiri adjourned the case until December 5 and 21, 2022 for hearing.

The police had on September 16 paraded John Lyon, who lives in Abuja, for allegedly colluding with others to terrorise Bayelsa State for years through the kidnapping of top bankers, businessmen and prominent persons.

Commissioner of Police Ben Okolo paraded John Lyon and some of the gang members in Yenagoa.