YENAGOA, Nigeria – After nearly seven years of legal stagnation and over 40 adjournments, the Bayelsa State High Court has finally fixed May 22, 2026, to resume the trial of 15 former domestic workers of Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
Seven Years Behind Bars
The defendants—a group of cooks, cleaners, and security personnel—have been held at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa since 2019. They are accused of breaking into Mrs. Jonathan’s residence in Otuoke and stealing luxury items, including high-end jewellery, air conditioners, and television sets, with an estimated value ranging between ₦200 million and ₦750 million.
The case has become a symbol of the “slow wheels of justice” in Nigeria. Since their arrest, the workers have remained in custody without a final verdict, a situation that has drawn fierce condemnation from human rights activists who argue that their right to a fair and speedy trial has been flagrantly violated.
A Trail of Tragedy and Torture Claims
The prolonged detention has already taken a deadly toll. In September 2025, one of the original defendants, Sahabi Liman, died in custody following a sharp decline in his health.
The legal battle has also been marred by allegations of brutality. Earlier this year, the court admitted “confessional statements” from eight of the workers as evidence. This decision came despite a “trial-within-a-trial” where the defendants testified that the statements were extracted through physical abuse and torture by police officers during their initial interrogation.
Serious Charges and the Path Ahead
Beyond the theft allegations, the workers face an 18-count charge that includes:
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Armed robbery
- Attempted murder
With the prosecution finally closing its case after years of delays, the defendants are now expected to open their direct defence on the new May date.
Public Outcry
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and civil rights leaders have called for an accelerated hearing, noting that the “presumption of innocence” has been practically discarded in this case. As the May 22 hearing approaches, the eyes of the public are on the Bayelsa judiciary to see if this long-running saga will finally reach a conclusion.
