EXCLUSIVE: Bayelsa Court Fails To Hold Sitting On Patience Jonathan's 15 Domestic Workers Detained Since 2019, Adjourns Indefinitely

The nearly six-year-old trial of 15 domestic workers accused of stealing jewellery belonging to Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has been adjourned indefinitely. 

SaharaReporters learnt that the Bayelsa State High Court failed to sit on the last scheduled trial dates, June 26 and 27, 2025, without providing any new timeline for proceedings to resume.

“We don't even have a date till now,” one of the detained domestic workers told SaharaReporters from inside the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa, where all 15 remained in custody since 2019.

Sources close to the case say the indefinite delay comes despite the court’s previous order for accelerated hearing. 

The trial had entered the defence stage, with several defendants preparing to debunk the prosecution’s case and expose contradictions in witness testimonies.

“They wanted to continue their defence. This time, most of the defendants wanted to prove before the court how they were not connected to the allegations levelled against them,” a source familiar with the proceedings told SaharaReporters. 

“But sadly, they were not taken to court. The reason given was that the court didn’t sit because one of the judges, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, had been kidnapped,” the source added.

Justice Omukoro, who was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in June, regained his freedom on July 3. Yet more than 10 days after his release, the court has remained silent on resuming the case.

“This is a case that the court had declared for accelerated hearing, yet it’s being used to continue unjust detention. As we speak, nobody knows the next date they will be in court,” the source said.

SaharaReporters earlier exposed details of horrifying accounts of police torture allegedly orchestrated at the behest of Mrs. Jonathan to extract confessions from the workers.

During one of the last court sessions, several defendants gave graphic testimony of inhumane treatment they suffered in custody. 

Vivian Golden, the first defendant, recounted how she was arrested on June 23, 2019, and shuttled between police facilities before ending up at the notorious Operation Puff Adder unit.

“She was hung and beaten by police officers simply because she wouldn’t confess to stealing any jewellery,” said a courtroom source. “They were reportedly paid by Patience Jonathan to break her down.”

Her account was echoed by others, including Vincent Olabiyi, Emmanuel Aginwa, and Tamunosiki Achese. All described being hung upside down, flogged, and threatened by officers under the command of one “O.C. Chris” and Chief Security Officer Colin Otutu.

“They suffered machete wounds. Some were forced to sign pre-written statements under severe duress,” another witness told SaharaReporters.

The 15 defendants, 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, have been detained without bail at the Okaka facility for over five years.

Sources alleged that Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyers, Ige Asemudara and Samuel Chinedu Maduba, have deliberately dragged the trial through a pattern of unnecessary delays and judicial stalling tactics.

“These two have been manipulating the system since 2019,” a court official revealed. “They come with excuses—witnesses are ill, lawyers are unavailable, or they file endless motions. One witness took almost two years to appear.” 

The defence believes the case is less about justice and more about vengeance.

“It’s personal for her [Mrs. Jonathan]. She wants them to rot in prison, not because of any credible evidence, but because she can use her influence to keep the system paralysed,” another source said.

Despite the gravity of the torture claims, neither Mrs. Jonathan nor any of the implicated police officers have been summoned or investigated. The National Human Rights Commission has also remained silent, while the police authorities continue to deny wrongdoing. 

The trial has sparked outrage across civil society groups, who accuse Nigeria’s judicial system of selectively dispensing justice based on power and political connections.