Yenagoa, Bayelsa State — Some former domestic workers of ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan, dey languish for Okaka Custodial Centre as dem complain about maltreatment and delayed trial. Dem don dey inside prison since 2019 as their case dey face constant adjournments.
Two of the workers, wey speak exclusively to Saturday PUNCH on Friday, beg for help, saying dem dey suffer hardship and torture. Dem name some of the affected parties as 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.
The workers don face serious charges since dem dey bring them before Bayelsa High Court for Yenagoa in 2019. Dem accuse dem of stealing gold bangles, jewellery, Samsung air conditioners, upholstery chairs, and flat-screen televisions worth N200 million. The counts also include conspiracy to commit murder and armed robbery.
One of the detainees wey spoke from inside prison lamented say dem dey unlawfully detain dem. “We don dey inside prison since 2019. We no even dey work for dat apartment, and dem no show any evidence to prove any case against us,” him talk. “The case dey on standstill as she dey wait for witnesses. We need help,” de detainee add.
Another inmate alleged say dem dey maltreat dem on Patience Jonathan’s orders. Dem talk say, “Dem dey threaten us for this prison. I beg, do anything to help us escape. When we dey station, dem torture us and threaten to beat us.”
Families of the detainees dey appeal to authorities like the Attorney General, National Human Rights Commission, and Bayelsa Chief Judge for quick resolution. Gladys Achese, sister of detainee Tamunosiki, expressed deep worry over her sister’s situation. “The experience dey traumatizing. My parents don dey go Port Harcourt and Bayelsa since 2019 to see her.”
Others like Steve Ibiene, brother of William Alami, call for justice. “We just want dem to proceed with the case. If them guilty, dem fit face punishment. Six years don pass without trial,” he lamented.
Boma Hubert, another relative, speak on the lack of the former first lady’s presence in court. “She never show face since dis case start. The judge don even talk say the case fit throway if she no appear,” he said.
The case don suffer over 40 adjournments, with legal associate Funmi Adedoyin from Tech4Justice confirming say dem don face several hurdles due to the political weight of the complainant. “Dem no let us proceed. The previous judge don become Chief Judge, and since then, things don slow down more,” she note.
Adedoyin also mention say, “We go apply for their bail before, but dem deny am. Meanwhile, dem don dey suffer for prison. One of the female defendants even lost her child while in custody.”
Adedoyin conclude say the police arrest all domestic staff on instruction of Patience Jonathan, despite stealing being a bailable offence. “The police no get enough evidence. Dem just wan keep them locked up because of the serious charges wey dem face.”
Efforts to reach Patience Jonathan’s Media Adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, for comments didn’t succeed.
