Fifteen domestic workers of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who were detained in 2019 over allegations of theft, are set to appear in court this Thursday after more than five years in custody.
The development has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, many of whom have decried what they describe as an “abuse of power and disregard for justice,” following revelations about the slow pace of the legal proceedings.
The workers; 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 have been held at Okaka Correctional Centre in Bayelsa State since their arrest.
They face accusations of stealing seven gold bangles and other jewelry, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen TVs items valued at N200 million.
According to Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice (Tech4Justice), which has provided free legal aid to nine of the defendants since 2022, the matter will come up this week at the Bayelsa State High Court 1.
Documents from Tech4Justice indicate that the group faces 18 counts, ranging from conspiracy to commit murder and armed robbery to burglary, relating to alleged incidents between 2018 and 2019.
A legal associate with Tech4Justice, speaking anonymously, emphasized that while the organization is not opposed to prosecution if valid charges exist, the prolonged detention without resolution is unacceptable.
“All we want is a timely and fair trial,” the source stated.
The group blames the slow Nigerian criminal justice system, including court congestion, poor legal representation, and administrative delays for the prolonged case. There are also concerns that political influence may be contributing to the lack of progress.
“This case has dragged on for more than five years,” the source continued. “The complainant’s political weight, coupled with a sluggish justice system, has worked against the detained workers.”
They called for either the granting of bail or an accelerated hearing, stressing the need for accountability from judges, prosecutors, and legal practitioners alike.
“All we ask is that the defendants be granted bail, or the case should proceed with urgency. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
