The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has intervened in the ongoing case involving 15 former domestic workers of ex-first lady Dame Patience Jonathan, who have been in detention for six years over allegations of stealing jewelry and other items.
A senior NBA official, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the association is also in discussions with Mrs. Jonathan to find a resolution.
According to previous reports, the 15 aides have been held at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State for allegedly stealing items, including seven gold bangles, jewelry, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen TVs, amounting to N200 million. They face 18 charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and armed robbery.
The NBA official revealed that they are actively working to resolve the issue, having engaged with various stakeholders, including the former first lady’s legal team and the Bayelsa State Government. The official stated, “We have contacted the former first lady and her lawyers, as well as the Attorney General of Bayelsa State to explore a resolution because this situation is attracting unnecessary attention.”
The NBA is dedicated to resolving the case swiftly while ensuring that the rights of everyone involved are upheld. They are in continuous communication with the Attorney General, who has guaranteed to review the situation, and the local NBA chairman is taking steps to facilitate resolution.
Several factors are contributing to the delays in the case, including the birth of a child by one of the defendants and the defense lawyers’ requests for a trial-within-a-trial. The complexity of having multiple defendants, each with their own legal representatives, is prolonging the proceedings.
The NBA official highlighted the need for the judiciary to provide updates to the public regarding the case’s status, commenting, “The court should clarify what’s happening.”
In related news, a source indicated that the controller of the Bayelsa Custodial Centre cautioned detainees against sharing information about their detention publicly, asserting that such actions could negatively impact their case.
Moreover, one of the detainees denied claims that a pregnant inmate was causing the trial delays, noting that the inmate, Wariboko Salomi, a sickle cell patient, had been granted bail due to her pregnancy.
In a personal account, Gladys Achese, the sister of one of the detainees, Tamunosiki, disclosed that her sister’s husband divorced her after her prolonged incarceration, stating that despite practical issues in their marriage, he did not contact her or visit her in prison. He eventually filed for divorce while she was still detained.
