Former Patience Jonathan Workers’ Trial Stalls Again as Families Allege Plot to Delay Case Until After 2027 Elections

The long-running trial of 14 former domestic workers of Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has suffered another setback, with proceedings at the Bayelsa State High Court failing to go ahead as scheduled.

The defendants, who were arrested in 2019 over allegations of stealing jewellery and other valuables worth about ₦200 million, have now spent over seven years in detention without a conclusion to their trial. One of the original 15 defendants, Sahabi Liman, died after his health deteriorated while in custody.

A source familiar with the case revealed that the defence had been prepared to conclude its case on September 22, 2026, but the hearing could not proceed because the prosecution counsel failed to appear in court.

The source alleged that the former First Lady had directed that the case be adjourned indefinitely.

“Patience Jonathan has given them a directive to adjourn the case indefinitely and the judge should not allow the sitting till after general election in February,” the source said.

The source further claimed that the prosecution’s absence was part of a deliberate strategy to stall proceedings. “But Patience Jonathan told the judge to tactically delay the proceedings, and this is why the prosecution did not show up on September 22, 2026,” the source alleged.

According to the source, the defendants have tried unsuccessfully to secure a new hearing date for over a month.

“The defendants have tried all their best to get another date, but the Bayelsa judiciary is blocking it. They want these defendants to suffer more,” the source said.

The case has been plagued by repeated adjournments since it began. Previous reports indicated that the matter had been adjourned more than 40 times between 2019 and 2025, with delays attributed to the absence of prosecutors, the elevation of the presiding judge to Chief Judge, and various other factors.

The defendants have consistently denied the allegations against them, claiming that their confessional statements were obtained through torture.

Some told the court during earlier proceedings that they were beaten, suspended, and forced to sign statements prepared by investigators.

The prolonged detention has taken a toll on the health of the accused. Liman, who was granted bail on medical grounds after years in custody, later died in a hospital in Port Harcourt. His son recounted the circumstances.

“My father was granted bail about three years ago to treat himself. At some point, he improved, but his condition worsened again,” he said. “I was with him the night before he died. Around midnight, we got a call that he had passed away”.

Family members have repeatedly accused authorities of interfering with the judicial process to keep the workers locked up.

A family source alleged that prison officials had increased threats against the detainees, claiming there were instructions from the state government to keep them locked up indefinitely.

The case involves allegations that the domestic workers stole seven gold bangles and other jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstered chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions, reportedly valued at about ₦200 million.

They were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony, armed robbery, and burglary, among other offences.

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju had called on Patience Jonathan in 2025 to discontinue the case following Liman’s death.

The remaining defendants and their families continue to await the conclusion of proceedings, with no new hearing date fixed as of the latest development.