The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has intervened in the prolonged case involving 15 former domestic workers of ex-first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who have been detained for six years on charges of stealing jewellery and other valuables. The NBA is actively working with all stakeholders, including Mrs. Jonathan, to resolve the matter.
In a statement on Saturday, a senior NBA official revealed that the association is in talks with various parties, including legal representatives, the Bayelsa State Government, and Mrs. Jonathan, to facilitate a resolution. The workers, who are being held at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa, are accused of stealing valuables, including jewellery, air conditioners, furniture, and electronics, worth an estimated N200 million. They were arrested and brought before the Bayelsa High Court in 2019.
The detainees face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, burglary, and theft. According to the NBA official, efforts are being made to expedite the resolution of the case, which has been delayed due to various factors, including differing defence strategies from the defendants’ lawyers and the recent birth of one of the detainees’ children.
“We have reached out to the former first lady, her lawyers, and the Attorney General of Bayelsa State to seek a speedy resolution. The case has drawn significant public attention, and we want to ensure that all parties’ rights are protected,” the official said.
The NBA also called on the judiciary to provide clarity regarding the status of the case to alleviate public concerns.
In the meantime, the situation at the Okaka Custodial Centre has become more tense, with the prison controller warning the detainees against sharing information with the public. A source confirmed that the controller refuted claims of meetings with Mrs. Jonathan and denied any allegations of mistreatment.
One of the detainees, Wariboko Salomi, who is pregnant, has been granted bail, but her case has reportedly been complicated by her health condition, as well as ongoing procedural delays.
The long detention has caused immense personal hardship for the detainees, with some losing their families. Gladys Achese, the sister of one of the detainees, revealed that her sister’s marriage ended due to the prolonged detention, highlighting the emotional toll on the families of those involved.
As the NBA continues its efforts to address the case, the public remains hopeful that justice and fairness will prevail for the affected individuals, many of whom have been behind bars for over six years.
