Patience Jonathan Accused Of Using Influence To Stall Justice As Court Adjourns Ex-Staff’s Case Over 40 Times Since 2019

Several former domestic workers of Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, currently detained at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State, have cried out over alleged maltreatment, delayed trial, and deplorable prison conditions.

Two of the detained workers, speaking exclusively on Friday, pleaded for urgent intervention, saying they had been languishing in prison since 2019 without progress in their trial.

The workers — Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Sunday Reginald, Vivian Golden, Emeka Benson, Boma Oba, Salomi Wareboka, and Sahabi Lima — were arraigned before the High Court of Bayelsa in Yenagoa in 2019.

They face an 18-count charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, burglary, and theft. Allegations against them include the theft of gold jewelry, Samsung air conditioners, upholstery chairs, and flat-screen televisions, reportedly valued at N200 million. They are also accused of conspiring to kill the former First Lady.

One of the detainees lamented that no evidence had been presented against them after nearly six years.

“We have been in prison since 2019. We were domestic staff of the former First Lady. There was a case of breaking into one of her apartments in Otuoke, and she arrested all her workers, even those who were not stationed there. Till today, the police have not provided evidence in court,” the detainee said.

The inmate further alleged mistreatment on the orders of Mrs. Jonathan.

“They tortured us at the police station, threatened to hang us, and she would be on the phone listening, urging them to intensify the torture. We are being threatened even inside the prison,” he said.

Families of the detained workers have appealed to the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State to intervene.

Gladys Achese, sister to one of the detainees, Tamunosiki Achese, expressed deep anguish over her sibling’s prolonged detention.

“This has been a traumatizing experience. Whenever I visit my sister, I leave the prison in tears. The court should do its job and give a fair hearing. The delay has lasted six years. This is a bailable offence; they should be granted bail,” Achese stated.

Steve Ibiene, brother of another detainee, Williams Alami, said, “We only ask for fairness. If they are guilty, let the court sentence them. But they should not be left to rot in prison without trial.”

Another relative, Boma Hubert, disclosed that his brother, Reginald Sunday, was accused of stealing jewelry from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, despite working in a hotel operated by the former First Lady in Otuoke.

“She (Patience Jonathan) has never appeared in court since 2019. The court now sits only once a month. The judge once hinted that the case could be struck out, but the detainees remain imprisoned. It appears she is using her influence to stall the case,” Hubert alleged.

Similarly, Offor Cosmos, father of another detainee, pleaded for government intervention.

“My son is suffering seriously. He has health issues that are worsening. We need help. I never imagined this would happen when he went to work in Bayelsa,” he said.

A human rights organization, Tech4Justice, revealed that efforts to secure bail for the detainees were repeatedly frustrated by the Bayelsa judiciary, allegedly due to political pressure.

Funmi Adedoyin, a legal associate with the group, confirmed that the trial had been adjourned over 40 times between 2019 and 2025.

“We have made several bail applications and representations, but the judiciary appears unwilling to proceed. The Chief Judge, who initially handled the case, was elevated, making it harder to prioritize this matter. Although there have been recent efforts toward accelerated hearing, progress is slow,” Adedoyin explained.

The organization also lamented the frequent absence of police prosecutors, with many officers transferred out of Bayelsa, further delaying proceedings.