A legal practitioner, Funmi Adedoyin, has lamented over the “delayed trial” of some former domestic workers of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan, who remain in detention at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State over stolen jewellery.
She disclosed that the case was recently adjourned twice, on 25 and 26 June, due to the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court on 21 June in front of an eatery in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The defendants 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 ₦200 million.
They were also accused of conspiracy to commit murder, felony, armed robbery, burglary, and stealing, among other charges.
Those affected 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
According to a report by Punch in April, the case has been adjourned 40 times.
Speaking with the publication mentioned above, Adedoyin stated that the defendants had been languishing in prison for six years.
The lawyer expressed disappointment over the ongoing delays in the trial, emphasising the impact on the defendants’ pursuit of justice.
She noted, “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.”
Adedoyin assured that the group would not back down until justice was served.
She said, “We hope with these advocacies, the case will go on and the people will get justice.”
Speaking about the recent adjournments, Adedoyin stated, “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.”
The sister of one of the detainees, Gladys Achese, decried the imprisonment of her sister and the prolonged trial of the defendants.
She said, “We are sad. The case is just dragging. They didn’t go to court throughout last month. Hopefully, if they go this month, they will not go at all in August because there will be a break.
“So, we do not know when the next court session will open. Time is not waiting. We do not know the next approach to take. It is frustrating.”