Families of Domestic Workers Detained Since 2019 Over Alleged Patience Jonathan Jewellery Theft Slam Goodluck Jonathan’s New Year Message, Demand Immediate Release or Speedy Trial

Families of domestic workers detained since 2019 over an alleged jewellery theft involving former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, have criticised former President Goodluck Jonathan’s New Year message to Nigerian leaders, describing it as hypocritical and insensitive. The families accused Jonathan of calling for people-centred leadership while remaining silent over the prolonged detention of workers linked to his household, who have been held in custody for more than five years without bail.

Speaking on behalf of the families, a relative of one of the detainees said Jonathan’s appeal for leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare rang hollow while the accused domestic workers continue to languish in prison amid repeated court delays. The families urged the former president to lead by example by ensuring either the release of the detained workers or the speedy conclusion of their long-running trial.

The families lamented the slow pace of the case, noting that while the detainees are reportedly in good health, the prolonged detention has caused severe emotional and economic hardship. They expressed hope that the case would be concluded early in 2026, stressing that justice delayed continues to punish innocent families.

Their reaction followed Jonathan’s New Year message in which he acknowledged Nigeria’s economic hardship and insecurity, urged leaders to adopt people-oriented governance, and called for leadership anchored on humility, integrity and service to the people.

The controversy has once again drawn attention to the case of 15 domestic workers accused of stealing jewellery allegedly worth hundreds of millions of naira from Mrs. Jonathan’s residence. The defendants, who have been held at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa since 2019, have consistently told the court that they were abducted, tortured and forced to make confessions. Some have named security personnel allegedly involved in their abuse, including claims of suspension, whipping and coercion.

Despite repeated allegations of torture and police brutality linked to the case, no security operative has been investigated or charged, further fuelling public criticism and calls for justice, accountability and the release of the detained workers.

EXCLUSIVE: A Bayelsa High Court has admitted the controversial “confessions” of domestic workers accused of stealing jewellery belonging to ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan — despite their testimony that the statements were extracted under torture.

The defendants — Golden Vivian, Vincent Olabiyi, Tamunosiki Achese and Emmanuel Aginwa — earlier told the court they were brutalised by officers of the notorious Operation Puff Adder before being forced to confess.

Prison and court insiders say the judge accepted the confessional evidence regardless of the torture allegations, raising fresh concerns about rights abuses and fairness in the high-profile trial.

#Bayelsa #PatienceJonathan #HumanRights #NigeriaCourt

Bayelsa Court Admits Controversial Confessions in Patience Jonathan Jewellery Theft Case Despite Torture Claims

The Bayelsa State High Court has accepted disputed confessional statements from domestic workers accused of stealing former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s jewellery, despite their detailed testimonies of torture by Operation Puff Adder operatives. The workers, who have spent over five years in detention, allege they were brutalised, forced to confess, and denied legal access. With one defendant already dead and no officers investigated for torture, the case—ongoing since 2019—has been adjourned to January 2026 amid rising concerns over judicial fairness and human rights violations.



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U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert Ahead of #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest in Abuja.

The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security advisory to its citizens ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement released on Friday, the Embassy warned that the demonstration could cause disruptions, roadblocks, and possible violence. It urged Americans in Abuja to avoid protest zones and limit movement across the city.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that the ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest is expected to take place on Monday, October 20th, 2025. There may be traffic congestion, road closures, and potential confrontations between protesters and police near Eagle Square and the Central Business District,” the statement read.

The embassy also advised residents to take extra precautions, recommending that children stay home from school and domestic workers who travel from outside Abuja not report to work that day.

The alert follows the announcement by activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who disclosed on October 9 via X (formerly Twitter) that the peaceful protest would be held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Sowore described the planned demonstration as a “historic” call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kanu has been in custody since June 2021 after his controversial extradition from Kenya and is currently facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Nigerian Police Detain Wife, Children Of Late Ondo Ex-Governorship Candidate Akingboye For His Alleged Murder.

Initially, his Personal Assistant and Media Adviser, Oyeniyi Iwakun, announced his passing in a glowing tribute.
Otunba Bamidele Akingboye
New revelations have surfaced regarding the death of former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, popularly known as OBA, as police have arrested his wife and children over their alleged involvement.

According to SaharaReporters, a police source revealed on Thursday that Akingboye’s death, initially announced as a sudden tragedy, is now being treated as possible homicide.

“On the update about OBA, the information is that he might have been murdered by his wife and children, and the domestic workers in the house all knew about it.

"CCTV footage showed that he was dragged out of the building at 2am. The wife and children have all been arrested and taken to custody since yesterday (Wednesday) at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos. The daughter is the only one at large,” the source disclosed.

Akingboye, who died at his Victoria Garden City (VGC) residence in Lagos State at the age of 60, was widely known as a philanthropist, oil and maritime businessman, and political leader in Ondo State.

Initially, his Personal Assistant and Media Adviser, Oyeniyi Iwakun, announced his passing in a glowing tribute.

The aide described him as “a man of unwavering integrity, an accomplished businessman, philanthropist, visionary leader, and community builder.”

But speculations quickly emerged that his death was not natural.

Patience Jonathan’s Domestic Workers Allege Police Torture As Court Resumes Trial.

The long-delayed trial of 15 domestic workers accused of stealing jewellery from former First Lady Patience Jonathan resumed on Thursday at the Bayelsa State High Court after sustained media scrutiny.

During the session, four defendants testified under cross-examination, alleging brutal torture by operatives of the Nigeria Police's Operation Puff Adder. They claimed they were suspended, beaten, and coerced into signing false confessions.

The trial, stalled since 2019, has drawn public outcry over prolonged detention without bail. The judge has now fixed August 11 and 12 to conclude the defence stage, amid concerns of judicial delay and abuse of process.

The defendants’ lawyers and rights advocates insist the case lacks evidence and allege that the trial is being prolonged deliberately to punish innocent workers. Despite allegations of torture, no police officer has been investigated.









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Case Has Been Adjourned Over 40 Times – Patience Jonathan’s Ex-Aides Lawyer Cries Out Over Prolonged Detention Of Suspects.

A legal practitioner, Funmi Adedoyin, has lamented over the “delayed trial” of some former domestic workers of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan, who remain in detention at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State over stolen jewellery.

She disclosed that the case was recently adjourned twice, on 25 and 26 June, due to the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court on 21 June in front of an eatery in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The defendants were accused of stealing seven gold bangles and other pieces of jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstered chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions, all valued at ₦200 million.

They were also accused of conspiracy to commit murder, felony, armed robbery, burglary, and stealing, among other charges.

Those affected are Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Sunday Reginald, Vivian Golden, Emeka Benson, Boma Oba, Salomi Wareboka, and Sahabi Lima

According to a report by Punch in April, the case has been adjourned 40 times.

Speaking with the publication mentioned above, Adedoyin stated that the defendants had been languishing in prison for six years.

The lawyer expressed disappointment over the ongoing delays in the trial, emphasising the impact on the defendants’ pursuit of justice.

She noted, “We are not happy about these delays, and that is why we have been doing our best to carry on with the legal advocacy to ensure justice is upheld in the matter.

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“We want them to get justice on time, as we have had over 40 adjournments already in the matter. We will continue to support them.”


Adedoyin assured that the group would not back down until justice was served.

She said, “We hope with these advocacies, the case will go on and the people will get justice.”

Speaking about the recent adjournments, Adedoyin stated, “The case has not been going on. The last time it was supposed to come up was 26 and 27 June. The court did not sit because of the matter in Bayelsa State, where a judge was kidnapped. It is an act of solidarity. Till now, we have not been able to get a date. In the last two adjournments, the matter did not go on.”

The sister of one of the detainees, Gladys Achese, decried the imprisonment of her sister and the prolonged trial of the defendants.

She said, “We are sad. The case is just dragging. They didn’t go to court throughout last month. Hopefully, if they go this month, they will not go at all in August because there will be a break.

“So, we do not know when the next court session will open. Time is not waiting. We do not know the next approach to take. It is frustrating.”