Former Nigerian First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has allegedly kept 15 of her domestic workers imprisoned at Okaka Correctional Centre in Bayelsa State since 2019 over an unproven case of robbery.
SaharaReporters gathered that despite not being convicted by any court, the workers remain behind bars as their trial has been repeatedly delayed, reportedly on the orders of the influential former First Lady.
Sources familiar with the case have raised concerns, calling for urgent intervention to ensure justice. “Since 2019, Patience Jonathan has detained about 16 of her domestic staff over allegations of stealing her jewellery, without allowing due legal process,” one source said.
According to a relative of one of the detained workers, the arrests followed a break-in at one of Jonathan’s apartments in Otuoke. “She ordered the arrest of all her domestic staff, even those who were not working in that apartment at the time,” the relative explained.
Despite the serious charges—including @rmed robbery, m@licious damage, attempted m¥rder, and theft—there has been no concrete evidence presented in court. “The case has been stalled, with officials claiming they are waiting for witnesses who have yet to come forward,” another source noted.
The detained workers include Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Saabi Liman, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Williams Alami, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Waribobo, Salomi Reginald, Sunday Boma, Oba Golden, and Vivian.
Legal experts argue that their prolonged detention violates Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of the presumption of innocence and the right to personal liberty. Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution states that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty, while Section 35 prohibits detention beyond a reasonable period without trial.
Sources claim that the case has been deliberately stalled in court under Jonathan’s influence, further denying the workers their right to justice.
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