Fifteen persons previously in the employ of former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, and in detention for the last six years over claims that they stole her belongings, and made attempts to kill her have again drawn public attention to their continous detention without trial in the last six years.
The detainees 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.
They 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 N200m, and properties of the ex-First Lady.
They also face allegation of attempt to kill Mrs Jonathan and have been in detention since 2019 when they were arraigned before a court sitting in Yenagoa.
Since then the case has been adjourned 40 times, according to a lawyer, Funmi Adedoyin, who is acquainted with the matter.
Adedoyin decried the delay in starting the trial in an interview with Punchng: “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.
“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.”
She reportedly added: “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.”
