By Charles Pemu 
YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE – A legal practitioner, Funmi Adedoyin, has raised alarm over the “delayed trial” of former domestic workers of Former First Lady Patience Jonathan, who have now spent six years in detention at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State. The protracted legal battle, stemming from allegations of stolen jewellery and other valuables, recently faced further setbacks.
The 15 defendants, who were arraigned in 2019, face charges including the theft of seven gold bangles, various other jewellery pieces, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstered chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions, all valued at N200 million. They are also accused of conspiracy to commit murder, felony, armed robbery, burglary, and stealing.
The case has been plagued by delays, reportedly adjourned over 40 times prior to recent events. The trial was again stalled on June 25 and 26, after Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court was abducted on June 21 in Yenagoa, leading to an act of judicial solidarity that halted court proceedings.
Giving a press briefing Adedoyin lamented the defendants’ prolonged incarceration, emphasizing the severe impact on their pursuit of justice. “We are not happy about these delays… We want them to get justice on time,” she stated, vowing that her legal advocacy group would persist until justice is served.
The profound frustration of the detainees’ families was echoed by Gladys Achese, sister of one of the accused, who decried the agonizing pace of the trial. “The case is just dragging. They didn’t go to court throughout last month… It is frustrating,” she said, expressing uncertainty about the next court session, especially with impending judicial breaks.