Delayed Trial of Patience Jonathan’s Former Domestic Staff Sparks Outrage Over Prolonged Detention
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – A legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Funmi Adedoyin, has raised alarm over the prolonged incarceration and stalled trial of former domestic workers of Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who remain in detention at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Adedoyin, speaking with Saturday PUNCH, decried what she termed the “systematic delay and denial of justice” for the accused persons, some of whom have been in custody since 2019. She lamented that the trial has suffered numerous setbacks, with over 40 adjournments recorded since the matter was first brought before the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa.
The case was most recently scheduled for hearing on June 25 and 26 but was postponed due to the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court, who was kidnapped on June 21 near a fast-food restaurant in Yenagoa. The judiciary in the state has since suspended court sittings in solidarity with the abducted judge, leading to further delays in multiple high-profile cases, including that of the detained domestic workers.
According to court records, the 15 defendants—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—are facing multiple charges. These include conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, burglary, stealing, and the theft of luxury items valued at over N200 million, allegedly belonging to the former First Lady.
Among the items reportedly stolen are seven gold bangles, other valuable pieces of jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstered chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions. Despite the gravity of the charges, the suspects have remained in pre-trial detention for six years without a conclusive hearing.
“We are not happy about these delays,” Adedoyin said. “That is why we have remained consistent in our legal and human rights advocacy. We believe justice delayed is justice denied. These individuals deserve a fair and speedy trial, not endless adjournments that prolong their suffering.”
She stressed that the repeated postponements not only frustrate the defendants’ right to a fair hearing but also undermine public confidence in the judicial system.
“We have had more than 40 adjournments in this matter,” Adedoyin continued. “Each time we get close to making progress, something comes up to stall the process. Now the court has been unable to sit due to the judge’s abduction. We understand the gravity of that situation and sympathize with the judiciary, but the rights of the detainees must also be considered.”
Adedoyin further revealed that no new court date has been communicated, leaving the fate of the accused hanging in uncertainty. “The last time the case was scheduled to come up was June 26 and 27, but it didn’t hold. No new date has been fixed yet. We are hopeful that with sustained pressure and advocacy, the judiciary will prioritize the case once court sessions resume,” she added.
She reiterated the commitment of her legal team and civil society allies to continue pushing for justice, noting that the long detention without trial contravenes the principles of fair hearing and due process enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.
“We are determined not to give up. These individuals have the right to know their fate. If they are guilty, let it be proven in court; if they are innocent, let them be released. But they should not be left in indefinite limbo,” she declared.
The case has drawn attention from rights groups and legal observers across the country, who have called for urgent reforms to address the inefficiencies and delays plaguing Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The continued detention of the former domestic workers—despite the lack of trial progress—is now seen as a litmus test for the judiciary’s ability to balance internal crises with the demands of justice and human dignity.
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