Six Years Without Justice: Patience Jonathan’s Domestic Workers Return to Court Over Missing Jewellery Case

Fifteen domestic workers accused of stealing jewelry belonging to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, are set to appear before the Bayelsa State High Court on Thursday and Friday to continue their defense.

The suspects have been held in custody since 2019, sparking public concern over prolonged pre-trial detention and alleged judicial delays.

According to court insiders, most of the defendants are prepared to challenge the prosecution’s claims and highlight inconsistencies in the evidence.

One of the accused, Vivian Golden, testified that she was arrested in June 2019 and subjected to severe torture at the hands of officers at the Operation Puff Adder unit, allegedly under instructions from Mrs. Jonathan.

She and others Vincent Olabiyi, Emmanuel Aginwa, and Tamunosiki Achese—described being physically assaulted, hung upside down, and coerced into signing false confessions.

All fifteen defendants remain incarcerated at Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa. Legal observers accuse Mrs. Jonathan’s legal team of deliberately stalling the trial through constant adjournments and questionable delays.

The Bayelsa court has now ordered an accelerated hearing amid growing public outrage and scrutiny.

Despite serious allegations of police brutality and abuse of legal processes, no disciplinary action or inquiry has been initiated against the officers involved or Mrs. Jonathan, raising concerns about impunity and lack of accountability in Nigeria’s justice system.