In a shocking violation of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on the presumption of innocence, former First Lady Patience Jonathan has been holding 15 of her domestic staff in prison since 2019 over an unproven case of robbery. According to sources familiar with the case, these workers have been detained without a court conviction, as their trial has been repeatedly stalled on the orders of the influential former First Lady.
The detained workers were arrested in 2019 following an alleged case of breaking and entering at one of Patience Jonathan’s apartments in Otuoke. Despite the lack of evidence to prove their involvement in the alleged crime, they have been held in prison for over four years. The sources revealed that the case has been deliberately stalled in court, allegedly under the influence of Patience Jonathan.
The prolonged detention of these workers is a clear breach of Nigeria’s constitutional guarantee of the presumption of innocence. Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria explicitly states that every person accused of a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Furthermore, Section 35 guarantees the right to personal liberty and stipulates that no person shall be detained beyond a reasonable period without trial.
The names of the detained workers include Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Saabi Liman, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Williams Alami, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Waribobo, Salomi Reginald, Sunday Boma, Oba Golden, and Vivian. They are being charged with armed robbery, malicious damage, attempted murder, stealing, and other offences, despite the lack of evidence to support these allegations.
Sources close to the case have raised concerns about the deliberate delay in the trial, which they believe is a ploy to keep the workers in prison indefinitely. They have called for urgent intervention to ensure justice for the detained workers. “It is unacceptable that these workers have been held in prison for over four years without a fair trial,” one of the sources said. “We urge the authorities to take immediate action to address this gross injustice.”
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians taking to social media to demand justice for the detained workers. The incident has also raised concerns about the abuse of power and the lack of accountability in Nigeria’s justice system.
Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, served as the First Lady of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015 and as the Second Lady of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. Her actions in this case have been widely condemned, with many Nigerians viewing her as a symbol of the country’s entrenched corruption and abuse of power.
As the trial of the detained workers continues to stall, it remains to be seen whether justice will be served. One thing is certain, however: the case has highlighted the need for urgent reform in Nigeria’s justice system to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.
The detained workers’ relatives have expressed their gratitude to TECH4JUSTICE, a non-governmental organization that has been providing legal services to the workers. They have also called on the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the workers’ release.
In a statement, a relative of one of the detained workers said, “We are grateful to TECH4JUSTICE for their support and legal assistance. We urge the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the release of our loved ones. They have been detained for too long without a fair trial.”
The case has also sparked concerns about the welfare of the detained workers, who have been held in prison for over four years without access to proper medical care or other basic necessities.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether justice will be served. One thing is certain, however: the case has highlighted the need for urgent reform in Nigeria’s justice system to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.
In conclusion, the case of the 15 detained domestic workers is a stark reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s justice system. It is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to ensure the workers’ release and provide them with the justice they deserve.
