A lawyer representing some former domestic staff of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan has raised alarm over the prolonged trial of her clients, who have been held at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State for over six years without judgment.
The legal practitioner, Funmi Adedoyin, expressed frustration at the repeated delays in the case, which has now been adjourned 42 times since the defendants were arraigned in 2019. The accused include 15 former aides and domestic workers, among them Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, and others. They are facing serious charges ranging from theft and armed robbery to conspiracy to commit murder.
The accused were alleged to have stolen luxury items including seven gold bangles, several Samsung flat-screen televisions, five air conditioners, and two sets of upholstered chairs, all valued at over N200 million. They have also been charged with burglary and other felonies.
Adedoyin explained that the latest adjournments occurred on 25 and 26 June following the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court. The judge was reportedly kidnapped on 21 June in front of an eatery in Yenagoa, the state capital. As a result, court proceedings were suspended in solidarity with the kidnapped judge.
Speaking with a reporter, Adedoyin said the continuous delay is a denial of justice, noting that the detained individuals have been languishing in prison for years without trial progress.
“We are not happy about these delays and have been doing our best through legal advocacy to ensure justice is upheld in this matter. We have had over 40 adjournments already. We want them to get justice on time,” she said.
Adedoyin assured that her legal team will continue pushing until justice is served, stressing that the recent disruptions to court sittings have only worsened the situation.
The sister of one of the detainees, Gladys Achese, also voiced her frustration, saying her sister’s continued detention without trial is disheartening.
“We are sad. The case is just dragging. They didn’t go to court throughout last month. If they do not go this month, they won’t even go in August because of the usual court break. It is very frustrating,” she lamented.
The case has highlighted growing concerns about judicial delays and overcrowding in Nigerian prisons, especially for awaiting trial inmates. Legal experts and human rights advocates have repeatedly called for judicial reforms to address systemic backlogs and ensure fair and speedy trials.
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