BAYELSA: Some former domestic workers of Patience Jonathan, the ex-First Lady, who are currently detained at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State, have raised alarm over their maltreatment and prolonged trial. They have shared their experiences of suffering and torture, pleading for assistance as they continue to endure harsh conditions in prison.
Two of the detained workers spoke exclusively expressing their desperation and highlighting the ongoing difficulties they face in the custodial facility. These workers have been incarcerated since 2019, and their trial has been plagued by constant adjournments and delays.
Among those detained are 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.
The workers were first brought before the High Court of Bayelsa in Yenagoa in 2019, facing charges that include theft of valuables, such as gold bangles, Samsung air conditioners, furniture, and televisions, amounting to N200 million. In addition, they were accused of 18 counts related to conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, burglary, and stealing.
A charge read in court stated: Golden Vivian, Erama Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, Williams Alami, Tamunokuro Abaku, Boma Oba, Emmanuel Aginwa, Emeka Benson, Tamunosiki Achese Fiberesima, Wariboko Salome, Sahabi Liman, Reginald Sunday, John Dashe, and others now at large, sometime in June 2019 at Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire to kill Her Excellency Dame Patience Jonathan (former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and thereby committed an offence.”
One of the detained workers spoke out, expressing frustration over their continued imprisonment. He pointed out that despite being in prison since 2019, the police had yet to present any concrete evidence against them.
He explained that they were not working in the apartment in question at the time of the alleged break-in, and there has been no evidence provided to justify the charges.
The worker stated that the case has been continuously delayed due to the former First Lady’s efforts to bring witnesses, yet the trial is still pending.
Another inmate described the abuse they endured while in police custody. They claimed to have been tortured and threatened with physical harm, including being beaten and told they would be hanged.
They also reported that Patience Jonathan was involved in listening to their torture over the phone and instructing authorities to continue the abuse.
Family members of the detainees are calling for a swift resolution to the case. Gladys Achese, the sister of Tamunosiki Achese, one of the detainees, expressed her heartbreak, saying each visit to her sister was emotionally distressing.
She called on the authorities to grant her sister and the other detainees a fair trial and allow them to be granted bail. Achese highlighted the devastating toll the prolonged detention has taken on their family.
Steve Ibiene, the brother of William Alami, also expressed his frustration, demanding a quick trial so that if the detainees were guilty, they could be sentenced accordingly, but not kept in limbo for years.
Read also:
He emphasized that despite the accusations, no court had yet declared them guilty.
The father of Offor Cosmos, another detainee, spoke out about his son’s suffering, mentioning that he had developed health issues while in prison, including a condition that had worsened due to inadequate medical care.
The case has faced over 40 adjournments since 2019, and despite multiple efforts by human rights groups, such as Tech4Justice, to secure bail for the detainees, progress has been slow. Legal representatives have expressed concerns that the Bayelsa judiciary may be influenced by the political weight of Patience Jonathan, further delaying justice.
The case has been adjourned numerous times, often due to the absence of police prosecutors, with some officers who initially handled the case being transferred to other locations. Legal experts have also noted the slow pace of justice in Nigeria, which has exacerbated the delays.
One of the female detainees tragically lost her child while in custody and was not allowed to attend the funeral. Three of the detainees have been released on health grounds, including one suffering from tuberculosis. However, the rest remain in custody as the case continues to drag on.
The charges, which include conspiracy to kill the former First Lady, have raised suspicions about the legitimacy of the accusations, especially since the police have not provided any solid evidence. The legal team believes that the charges were added to ensure the detainees could not secure bail, as conspiracy to murder is a non-bailable offense in Nigeria.
Efforts to reach Patience Jonathan for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to her media advisor went unanswered.
This case has become a symbol of how political influence can hinder justice, with the detainees caught in a prolonged legal battle, unable to secure their release or receive a fair trial.
