‘Why Patience Jonathan detained ex aides in prison for six years’

A human rights group, Tech4Justice, has shed light on the reason why Patience Jonathan, the former First Lady of Nigeria, had her ex-aides detained in prison for six years.

The case, which involves multiple charges, has faced over 40 adjournments from 2019 to 2025, stalling any progress.

According to Funmi Adedoyin, a legal associate with Tech For Justice, instead of investigating the alleged theft of jewelry, the police charged the 15 domestic staff with conspiracy to kill Mrs. Jonathan.

The authorities arrested all the staff in the villa at the time, even though there was no evidence to suggest they had any intention to harm the former First Lady.

The charges were believed to be a strategy to keep the detainees from securing bail, as the police knew that theft alone would not prevent them from being granted release.

“Everyone in the villa was arrested. The police know that stealing is a bailable offence. Because of that, they charged them with another offence entirely different from the alleged theft of the jewellery – conspiracy to kill Madam Patience Jonathan. This is another exposé on what happened.”

“This was to ensure that they would not have any means of escape. The police did not even have any evidence suggesting that these people were armed. That is why it has been very difficult to secure their bail,” she added.

Adedoyin revealed that the case has faced numerous delays, partly due to the absence of police prosecutors in court.

Many officers handling the case have been transferred to other locations, including Lagos, making it even harder for the trial to proceed.

Furthermore, the judge initially assigned to the case was promoted to Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, complicating her ability to oversee the trial.

Despite numerous applications for bail, all attempts have been denied.

The prolonged detention has taken a toll on the defendants, with one female detainee tragically losing her child while in custody and being unable to attend the funeral.

Meanwhile, three other defendants have been granted bail due to health concerns, one of whom is suffering from tuberculosis.