Patience Jonathan’s jewellery: Families of ex-aides demand speedy trial, justice
Families of some domestic workers of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, currently held at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State, have called for the speedy trial of the detainees ahead of the continuation of their case scheduled for April 17, 2025.
Speaking exclusively to Sunday PUNCH, two of the families also demanded the release of their relatives, stating that their continued detention was unlawful.
The workers have been held in the custodial centre since 2019, with their trial facing constant delays due to repeated adjournments.
Those affected 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 defendants were first brought before the High Court of Bayelsa, sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital, in 2019.
They were charged with 18 counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony (armed robbery), conspiracy to commit felony (burglary), and stealing, among others.
One of the families of the defendants, Erema’s daughter, Esther Reginald, demanded that her mother and brother be released.
The 17-year-old said her mother had been imprisoned since she was 11, adding that there was no justification for the suffering she had endured.
She said, “I am not happy that my mother has been in prison. I have been growing up without her, and there are things I needed her for, but she wasn’t there. I am sad. Now, I am 17. She gave birth to three of us; one is dead, and the other is also in prison with her. He was imprisoned alongside my mother for the same issue. I’ve been living by God’s grace.”
Reginald further explained the emotional toll the situation had on her, saying, “My mother used to be the breadwinner of our family. I couldn’t attend a good school. I am trying to sit for the UTME, but there’s no way for me to prepare. The money I should use for lessons, I end up sending it to my mother in prison. I’m being denied privileges because of my mother’s situation. I send most of what I have to feed her.”
Another relative, Miebaka Golden, revealed that multiple appeals had been made to the former First Lady to intervene and secure the detainees’ release, but all efforts had been in vain.
She said, “I and the families of other detainees have met her several times to plead with her. We even went to one of the kings in Okrika, who promised to speak to her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan. We made several moves, but she refused to listen. She (Patience Jonathan) is more powerful and influential than us. Her husband is a former President. There’s nothing we can do except keep believing in God.”
Golden recounted how the ongoing detention had devastated their household, saying, “My sister’s husband left her because of this case. Our parents are dead. We’ve been struggling on our own. When she got the job, we were happy, but now her son is under my care, and it has been very difficult for us for the past six years.”
She also alleged that the prison authorities had barred relatives from visiting the detainees, adding that they were concerned about their health status.
A legal associate for Tech4Justice, also known as Citizen Gavel, representing the detainees, Funmi Adedoyin, stated that she was waiting to see whether the media outcry would influence the court proceedings or if it would simply result in another continuation of the usual process.
She called for the case to be given an accelerated hearing or for the detainees to be granted bail. She said, “On the last two adjourned dates, the matter did not proceed. With this spotlight, we hope it will prompt the parties involved to act. We want the hearing on the matter to be accelerated or fast-tracked. It has been over five years, and the defendants have not been given the opportunity to properly defend themselves. It has been a long time. They should be granted bail. It does not appear that the matter will be concluded anytime soon. They should be granted bail so they can reunite with their families and return to court whenever the matter is adjourned. And if bail cannot be granted, then an accelerated hearing should be granted.
The legal counsel further stressed that it was unconstitutional to have kept the defendants waiting for years.
Adedoyin added, “This trial should come to an end as soon as possible. Despite being behind bars, they still have the right to a speedy trial, as stated by the constitution. Spending over five years in custody without a conclusion is not justifiable. If the prosecution is not ready, the matter should be struck out, and these people should be allowed to go home
