A Nigerian court has adjourned indefinitely the trial of 14 former domestic workers of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan, who have been detained since 2019. The trial, which began in 2019, was set to conclude with the defense presenting its case. However, the prosecution counsel failed to appear in court, leading to the adjournment. The defendants have spent years in custody while the case remains unresolved. Their detention has raised concerns among human rights advocates and legal observers.
The case involves allegations of theft and other offenses related to missing jewelry and valuables. The defendants, who were arrested and arraigned in 2019, deny the allegations. They claim that some of the confessional statements used by the prosecution were obtained through torture and coercion. During previous proceedings, some defendants reported being beaten, suspended, and forced to sign statements prepared by investigators.
This is not the first setback in the trial. In July, one of the defendants, Boma Oba, failed to appear in court, forcing the judge to adjourn proceedings. The defense was expected to conclude its case on that occasion. However, Oba's absence led to another delay. The case has suffered numerous adjournments since its commencement, with reports indicating over 40 adjournments in 2025.
The prolonged trial has resulted in the death of one of the defendants, Sahabi Liman. Liman became seriously ill while in custody and was granted bail on medical grounds. He later died due to health complications. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju called on Patience Jonathan to discontinue the case following Liman's death.
The remaining defendants and their families continue to await the conclusion of the proceedings. The latest adjournment has raised fresh concerns about when the defense will be allowed to conclude its case. No new hearing date has been set. The prosecution's failure to appear has added another layer of delay to a case that has lasted over seven years.
The case is pending before the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa. The defendants were accused of stealing items valued at about N200 million, including seven gold bangles, five Samsung air conditioners, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions. Their detention has sparked criticism from human rights advocates and legal observers.
The trial's indefinite adjournment has left the defendants and their families in limbo. The case's prolonged nature has highlighted concerns about the Nigerian justice system's efficiency. The defendants' fate remains uncertain as they continue to languish in jail.
Key points
- The trial of 14 former domestic workers of Patience Jonathan has been adjourned indefinitely due to the prosecution counsel's failure to appear in court.
- The defendants have spent years in custody while the case remains unresolved, sparking concerns among human rights advocates and legal observers.
- The case has suffered numerous adjournments since its commencement, with reports indicating over 40 adjournments in 2025.
