YANEGOA: Fresh controversy has erupted within the Bayelsa State judiciary following serious allegations that the trial of 14 domestic workers formerly employed by Nigeria’s ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan, is being deliberately delayed, leaving the accused individuals languishing in detention for more than six years without a final verdict.
The accusations are directed at the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, whom several court insiders have accused of presiding over a pattern of repeated adjournments and unexplained absences that have stalled the proceedings at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa.
Multiple officials familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the continued delays have generated frustration among court staff, legal practitioners and observers who fear that the case could drag on indefinitely.
According to sources within the court system, the latest disruption occurred when the scheduled hearing could not proceed because the presiding judge failed to appear in court.
This is now the third time in 2026 alone that the case has been stalled under similar circumstances,” one court official revealed.
It is only the first defendant, Golden Vivian, who has been able to complete her defence so far. The remaining defendants have not been given the opportunity to fully present their cases. The judge did not show up again, and the matter could not proceed.”
The official described the situation as disturbing, noting that a pattern of repeated adjournments is beginning to raise questions about whether the delays are accidental or part of a larger strategy.
Another source, visibly angered by the development, suggested that some insiders believe there may be a deliberate plan to prolong the case.
We are hearing that the intention is to drag this trial beyond the 2027 elections,” the source claimed.
These inmates are exhausted. Some of them were crying in court when they realised the hearing would not take place again.
The 14 domestic workers were arrested in 2019 after allegations surfaced that they stole jewelry reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira belonging to Mrs. Jonathan.
Since their arrest, the accused workers have remained in detention while the case slowly progresses through the court system.
Legal observers say the prolonged incarceration without a conclusive judgment raises serious concerns about due process and the right to a fair trial.
Critics argue that the case has now become a glaring example of the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s criminal justice system, where suspects can remain in custody for years while awaiting the conclusion of their trials.
Further heightening concerns, insiders disclosed that no new date has been fixed for the continuation of the defence stage of the trial.
As it stands now, there is no adjournment date,” another court source said.
It feels like an indefinite postponement. The case is stuck at the defence stage, and only one defendant has finished presenting her case. The rest are simply waiting.”
The prolonged legal battle has already had tragic consequences.
One of the defendants, Sahabi Liman, died after his health deteriorated during his prolonged incarceration.
Liman had earlier been granted bail on medical grounds after spending years in detention at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa.
He was later moved to a hospital in Port Harcourt, where he eventually died following a prolonged illness.
His family believes the years spent in detention without a concluded trial contributed significantly to the deterioration of his health.
My father was granted bail about three years ago so he could treat himself,” his son previously told reporters.
At some point he seemed to improve, but his condition got worse again. I was with him the night before he died, and later we received the call that he had passed away.”
The death has intensified public concern about the fate of the remaining defendants, several of whom are reportedly battling various health challenges while still in custody.
The defendants have consistently denied the theft allegations and have also accused security operatives of coercing them into signing confessional statements.
During earlier court sessions, some of the workers described what they called brutal interrogation tactics.
They alleged that investigators flogged, beat and suspended them during questioning until they agreed to sign prepared statements.
According to testimonies presented in court, a police officer identified as O.C. Chris and a security aide allegedly linked to Mrs. Jonathan were among those involved in the interrogations.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, no known investigation has been launched into the conduct of the officers accused of carrying out the alleged abuse.
This lack of accountability has further fueled criticism from human rights advocates who argue that the justice system must protect the rights of all suspects, regardless of the profile of the complainant.
Beyond the conduct of investigators and lawyers, the latest allegations now place the spotlight on the judiciary itself.
Sources say some members of Mrs. Jonathan’s legal team have also contributed to the delays by filing multiple motions that prolonged the proceedings.
However, the latest complaints suggest that the court’s handling of the matter may now be the most significant factor preventing the trial from moving forward.
For many observers, the prolonged detention of the accused workers raises troubling questions about access to justice and the fairness of Nigeria’s legal system.
As the controversy deepens, legal experts say the case may ultimately test public confidence in the ability of the courts to deliver timely and impartial justice.
For the remaining defendants still awaiting their day in court, the hope remains that the long-delayed proceedings will eventually move forward and bring clarity to a case that has already stretched beyond six years.
