“We have been in prison since 2019. We were domestic staff of the former first lady, Patience Jonathan. In 2019, there was a case of breaking into one of her apartments in Otuoke, and she decided to arrest all her workers.“We were not even working in that apartment; since then, there is no evidence to prove to the court, and the case is not proceeding; she is still waiting for witnesses to come till today.”
Former aides to Patience Jonathan have protested their prolonged detention since 2019 at Okaka prison, Bayelsa, over alleged theft of her valuables worth N200m. In exclusive interviews with Saturday PUNCH, two detainees revealed their trial has stalled with 40 adjournments and no evidence presented.
“We were not even working in that apartment…no evidence to prove to the court,” one inmate stated. Another alleged torture: “They threatened to beat and hang us while she listened on phone.”
Charged with conspiracy to murder and armed robbery, the 15 workers beg for intervention, claiming wrongful accusation. Prison authorities have yet to respond to the maltreatment claims.