A legal practitioner, Funmi Adedoyin, has expressed concern over the prolonged detention and stalled trial of several former domestic workers of Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who are currently being held at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State.
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The defendants, who were arraigned in 2019 before the Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, are standing trial for alleged theft and other serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, burglary, and stealing. They are accused of stealing luxury items including seven gold bangles, other jewellery, Samsung electronics, and furniture allegedly valued at N200 million.
Adedoyin noted that the matter had suffered no fewer than 40 adjournments since its commencement, further delaying justice for the accused persons who have remained in custody for six years.
The trial, which was most recently scheduled to continue on June 25 and 26, could not proceed due to the abduction of the presiding judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, on June 21 in Yenagoa. The incident led to a suspension of court proceedings in solidarity with the kidnapped judge.
Speaking on the development, Adedoyin lamented the impact of the recurring delays on the defendants and their families, noting that the latest adjournments have further pushed the case into uncertainty.
“The case has not been going on. The last time it was supposed to come up was June 26 and 27, but the court didn’t sit due to the judge’s abduction,” she said. “Till now, we have not been able to get a new date. We are not happy about these delays. That is why we are doing our best through legal advocacy to ensure justice is upheld.”
Adedoyin emphasized that the legal team and support groups remain committed to pursuing justice, stressing the urgency of addressing the backlog and resuming hearings.
“We want them to get justice on time,” she added. “We will continue to support them until justice is done.”
Also speaking, Gladys Achese, a sister to one of the detainees, described the situation as frustrating and emotionally draining.
“They didn’t go to court throughout last month. If the matter does not go on this July, then we know there won’t be any progress in August due to the court vacation. We are worried because we don’t know when the next session will be,” she said.
The case remains in limbo as the court awaits the resumption of full judicial activities and the assignment of a new trial date.
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