Fifteen former domestic staff of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan have remained in detention at the Okaka Custodial Centre, Bayelsa State, since 2019 over allegations of theft and conspiracy, as their trial has suffered over 40 adjournments.
The defendants, who worked in various residences of the former first lady, were accused of stealing jewellery, electronics, and furniture worth N200 million, as well as conspiring to kill Mrs. Jonathan. They face 18 criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, burglary, and armed robbery.
Despite the gravity of the charges, the detainees claim they were arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and have not been presented with any credible evidence. They allege the complainant, Patience Jonathan, has never appeared in court, frustrating the trial’s progress.
Family members of the accused have appealed to the judiciary and human rights agencies for intervention, lamenting the mental and emotional toll the prolonged incarceration has taken. One sister said visits to her detained sibling were traumatic, while another relative accused the former first lady of using her influence to delay proceedings.
Efforts by the human rights group Tech4Justice to secure bail have reportedly been hindered by judicial bottlenecks and alleged political interference. The group’s legal associate, Funmi Adedoyin, stated that the police had resorted to adding conspiracy-to-kill charges to prevent bail, despite a lack of supporting evidence.
Three of the defendants have been granted bail on health grounds, including one who lost a child while in custody. Others continue to await trial, with no end in sight. Attempts to reach Patience Jonathan’s camp for comment were unsuccessful.
