In what most Nigerians term highhandedness and injustice, some domestic staff of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who were accused of stealing have remained in custody for nearly seven years with over 40 adjournments in court, prompting calls for a speedy adjudication and their possible release
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
After nearly seven years of legal stagnation and over 40 adjournments, the Bayelsa State High Court has finally fixed May 22, 2026 to resume the trail of 15 former domestic workers of Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
The defendants – a group of cooks, cleaners and security personnel have been held at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa since 2019.
Tentacle gathered that they are accused of breaking into Mrs. Jonathan’s residence in Otuoke and stealing luxury items, including high-end jewelry, air conditioners, and television sets with an estimated value ranging between ₦300 million and ₦750 million.
The case has become a symbol of the “slow wheels of justice” in Nigeria. Since their arrest, the workers have remained in custody without a final verdict, a situation that has drawn fierce condemnation from Nigerians especially human rights activists who argue that their right to a fair and speedy trial has been flagrantly violated.
Tentacle learnt that the prolonged detention has already taken a deadly toll. In September 2025, one of the defendants, Sahabi Liman, died in custody following a sharp decline in his health.
The legal battle has also been marred by allegations of brutality. Earlier this year, the court admitted “confessional statements” from eight of the workers as evidence. This decision came despite a “trial-within-a-trial” where the defendants testified that the statements were extracted through physical abuse and torture by police officers during their initial interrogation.
Beyond the theft allegations, the workers face an 18-count charge that includes: conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery and attempted murder.
With the prosecution finally closing its case after years of delays, the defendants are now expected to open their direct defence on the new May date.
There have been public outcry as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Civil rights leaders have called for accelerated hearings noting that the “presumption of innocence” has been practically discarded in the case. As the May 22 hearing approaches, the eyes of the public are on Bayelsa judiciary to see if the long-running saga will finally reach a conclusion.
In his reaction, Nkemdiru Nwankwo said that Mrs. Jonathan is no doubt a very wicked woman, keeping more than 15 persons in detention more than six years now is sheer wickedness knowing fully well that most of them are all innocent but because they have no one to speak for them “All the billions she embezzled during her time as first lady, has she been prosecuted for it? Or can she swear with her life that she didn’t steal during her time in government? If men were God!”
But Emmanuel Akpabio has a contrary view, he said the case is not about Jonathan’s wife but the Nigerian Court, for six years for God’s sake those people were not granted bail? “What on earth our justice system is turning into, I saw in media someone said to have taken a whole state money up to 10 billion Naira and the guy was recently given an appointment, but for crying out loud 15 persons have spent 6 years already in detention.
In the same vein, Julius Okwudili said that the justice system in Nigeria is for the rich. He questioned why the suspects are still in detention without trial for six years. According to him, the height of wickedness by Patience Jonathan is mind bugling.
Micheal Ereh said that he is surprise that even after all the publicity the case has generated, Mrs. Jonathan is still hell bent on prosecuting her ex-staff just because of her missing jewelry, which she can easily replace. According to him, Patience have long forgotten that “there is God” and she will give account to Him sooner or later. Oppressors, even if they actually stole as alleged, why denied them access to justice for 7 years.
Don Rowland said that Patience Jonathan should account billions of dollars and Naira she was alleged to have stolen from the Nigerian government during her husband’s administration. Don questioned where she got the millions to acquire such jewelries. “You put your staff in prison for 7 years without trial, the wickedness of our leaders”
Kevin George, “let’s assume the final verdict found the staff guilty and sentenced to maximum period in correctional centre, I am just surprised as how that will make the quality of Patience life. God has granted her all the love a person needs. What’s the fraction of what was stolen to her riches to my mind, that’s being petty. What if we asked ourselves how she acquired what was stolen from her?” said Kevin.
Cassidy Enwere said Patience allegedly stole billions of dollars from Nigeria treasure, but she didn’t go to jail for one day, just because she accused her domestic workers of stealing from her, they have spent almost seven years in prison without being found guilty, adding that former Minister of Petroleum, Deziani Madueke also stole trillions, but she is walking freely in the United Kingdom.
Peter Titus said, “What is the court going to try after seven years of incarceration? Mummy, find a place in your heart and forgive them.”
In a related development, George Idumange popularly known as Pastor Brandy, the key suspect in the murder of Bayelsa State Estate Agent, 42-year old Richard Ekpebu and four others have been arraigned before the state High Court on 12 count charges of conspiracy for murder, illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery and destruction of evidence among others.
Also arraigned along with Idumange, were his 23 year-old girl friend, Miss Victory Barrel, a personnel with the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre, Ekisomene Amoniye alias Cash Money, 34 year-old Isomaremi Gold, alias Police and 35-year old Henry Isire.
The late Ekpebu was murdered in cold blood over a land sale deal and his body dumped in a bush along the New Otuoke Road near Bayelsa Palm in July 2025
Following investigations in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa, the police tactical team of the Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwogbo, arrested the suspects over the killing. After the charges in the suit were read to the accused, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The presiding judge, Raphael Ajuwa remanded the suspects at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre pending trial.
