The Bayelsa State High Court has finally moved to accelerate the trial of 15 domestic workers who have spent nearly six years in detention without conviction over allegations surrounding missing jewellery belonging to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
The defendants, arrested in 2019, have been held at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa without bail, as their case dragged on amid consistent reports of interference in the judicial process.
SaharaReporters learned that during Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution and defence reached a rare agreement to fast-track the case.
“The court proceeded well today, and both parties have agreed to finish the case as soon as possible, with an accelerated hearing. So victory is coming,” a source close to the defence told DAILY GAZETTE.
Throughout the years, the case has been marred by accusations of manipulation, allegedly led by Patience Jonathan’s private legal representatives, Ige Asemudara and Samuel Chinedu Maduba.
“The prosecutors are Ige Asemudara and Samuel Chinedu Maduba,” confirmed one source.
“One of them comes from Lagos while the second travels in from Port Harcourt. They’ve been handling this case from day one, presenting witnesses who come to tell lies. One witness took almost two years,” another insider recounted.
There have also been allegations that Mrs Jonathan directly instructed delays in the proceedings.
“The aim is to frustrate the process and keep these innocent people in prison as long as possible. It’s an abuse of the legal system,” a courtroom source stated.
Delay tactics reportedly included frequent health excuses, absentee witnesses, and adjournment requests.
“Sometimes, Ige Asemudara would claim he is sick or his witness has work. Other times, he just asks for long adjournments,” the source said.
The judiciary has also faced criticism. One source alleged that the presiding judge declined early bail applications, saying she preferred to hear some of the prosecution’s evidence first before making a decision.
“When the case started in 2019, they all applied for bail,” the source said. “But the judge told their lawyers to wait so she could hear some evidence. After that, she shockingly denied bail, saying the offences were capital and therefore not bailable.”
While the court denies complicity, it has stated that multiple defence counsels and cross-examinations slowed the case. It reaffirmed its commitment to timely justice.
Despite that, the accused—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—remain in prison, entangled in a legal saga shaped by power and delay.
