The Bayelsa State High Court has ordered a fast-tracked trial for 15 domestic workers who have been imprisoned at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa for nearly six years without conviction. These individuals have been accused of stealing jewelry belonging to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
The move came after a rare agreement between the prosecution and defense teams to expedite the case, which has faced repeated and deliberate delays allegedly orchestrated by Patience Jonathan’s private legal team. According to sources close to the defense, the court proceedings are expected to accelerate following the agreement to finish the case swiftly.
The 15 accused, mostly domestic staff working for Mrs. Jonathan, were arrested in 2019 and have remained in detention without bail, with their trial dragging on due to reported manipulations of the legal process. There have been consistent allegations that the former First Lady’s prosecutors, Ige Asemudara and Samuel Chinedu Maduba, have intentionally delayed the proceedings by introducing false testimonies and requesting adjournments.
In addition, it has been reported that Mrs. Jonathan herself played a role in obstructing the trial, allegedly instructing her legal team to stall the proceedings to keep the accused in prison for as long as possible. The delay tactics included claims of health issues, unavailability of witnesses, and repeated adjournments for trivial reasons.
Despite these accusations, the Bayelsa State High Court denied any involvement in the delays, stating that the case has been delayed due to multiple defense lawyers and the need for cross-examination of witnesses. The court, however, emphasized its commitment to a speedy trial.
The families of the detainees, as well as their defense team, have expressed shock at the prolonged legal process, particularly as the prosecution has yet to present convincing evidence to support the serious charges. With the trial now set to proceed more quickly, hope has been reignited for those wrongfully imprisoned, caught in a complex web of legal and political influence.
