The Bayelsa State High Court has indefinitely postponed the long-running trial of 15 domestic staff members accused of stealing jewellery from Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan — a case that has lingered without resolution since 2019.
Chronicles Reporters gathered that the court failed to convene as scheduled on June 26 and 27, 2025. To date, no fresh date has been communicated. “We’re still waiting for a new hearing date,” one of the accused shared from Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa, where all 15 have remained behind bars for over five years.
Despite a court directive for accelerated proceedings, insiders familiar with the matter confirmed that the trial remains stalled without explanation. The case had reached the defence phase, with multiple defendants preparing to challenge the prosecution’s narrative and reveal inconsistencies in witness testimonies.
“They were ready to defend themselves and present their own evidence. Most of them were eager to clear their names in open court,” said a person closely following the proceedings. “Unfortunately, they were not taken to court. We were later told the sitting was cancelled because Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro was kidnapped.”
Justice Omukoro was reportedly abducted by unidentified assailants in June but regained his freedom on July 3. However, nearly two weeks after his release, the court has yet to announce when the matter will resume. “This is a case that was declared for fast-track hearing. Now it’s being used as a tool for prolonged detention. As of now, there’s still no court date,” the source lamented.
Chronicles Reporters had earlier reported on allegations of brutal torture allegedly initiated on the instructions of Mrs. Jonathan, aimed at extracting confessions from the suspects while in police custody.
During a previous hearing, some of the defendants gave harrowing testimonies describing severe abuse. One of them, Vivian Golden, told the court she was arrested on June 23, 2019, and moved between various police units before being detained at the notorious Operation Puff Adder unit.
“She was beaten and hung by officers because she refused to admit stealing the jewellery,” said a legal observer present at the session. “We were told Patience Jonathan paid the police to force a confession out of her.”
Her claims were corroborated by other detainees such as Vincent Olabiyi, Emmanuel Aginwa, and Tamunosiki Achese, who also described being hung upside down, whipped, and terrorised by officers under the command of one “O.C. Chris” and Chief Security Officer Colin Otutu.
According to another witness, some of the suspects suffered machete injuries, while others were coerced into signing pre-written confessions under extreme pressure.
Those still in detention without bail include Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Sahabi Lima, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Salomi Wareboka, Sunday Reginald, Boma Oba, Vivian Golden, and Emeka Benson.
Sources have accused Mrs. Jonathan’s legal team—comprising Ige Asemudara and Samuel Chinedu Maduba—of deliberately prolonging the case through various legal maneuvers and unnecessary adjournments.
“They’ve been toying with the court since 2019,” said a judicial staff member. “They always have one excuse or the other—either the lawyer is sick, or a witness isn’t available. In fact, one of their witnesses didn’t show up for nearly two years.”
Those defending the detained workers believe the issue has gone beyond legal merits. “She [Mrs. Jonathan] is not pursuing justice; she’s using her position to keep them locked up indefinitely. This is all about revenge, not evidence,” another source added.
Despite widespread outcry over the alleged torture and procedural delays, Mrs. Jonathan and the implicated officers have not faced any formal inquiry or disciplinary action. The National Human Rights Commission has remained silent on the matter, and police authorities continue to deny any misconduct.
The case has triggered widespread condemnation from rights groups and civil society organisations, who argue that Nigeria’s justice system continues to favour the powerful while ordinary citizens suffer prolonged, arbitrary detention.
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