Crime
Patience Jonathan’s ex-aides rot in jail for stealing jewellery
Some former domestic workers of ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who are being held in the Okaka Custodial Centre, Bayelsa State, have decried their maltreatment and delayed trial, saying they are undergoing hardship and torture.
Two of the workers, who spoke on Friday, begged for help, saying they were languishing in prison.
The workers had been in the custodial centre since 2019, as their trial faced constant delays due to repeated adjournments.
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.The defendants were brought before the High Court of Bayelsa sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital, in 2019.
They were accused of stealing seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions valued at N200m.
They were also slammed with 18 counts bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: armed robbery, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: burglary and stealing, among others.
A charge read, “Golden Vivian, Erama Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, Wiliams Alami, Tamunokuro Abaku, Boma Oba, Emmanuel Aginwa, Emeka Benson, Tamunosiki Achese Fiberesima, Wariboko Salome, Sahabi Liman, Reginald Sunday, John Dashe and others now at large, sometime in June 2019 at Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire to kill Her Excellency Dame Patience Jonathan (former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and thereby committed an offence.”
One of the defendants, who spoke from prison, lamented that they were being unlawfully detained.
The detainee noted that up till that moment, the police had yet to present any evidence against them.
“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,” the worker said.
The detained worker appealed for help.
“Please, we need your intervention. We need help,” the detainee noted.
Another inmate alleged that they were being maltreated on the orders of the former first lady.
The inmate said, “These people want to kill us. In this prison, they are threatening us. Anything you can do for us to leave here, please do. When I was at the station, they tortured us and (threatened) they would take us to the back and beat and hang us.
“After they beat us, she would be on the phone listening to our voices and telling them it was not enough that they should bring us to her hotel and house. That is how we have been treated.”
Families seek speedy trial
Some of the parents and siblings of the defendants called on the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State to bring an end to the continued incarceration of their family members.
Speaking about the issue, the sister of one of the detainees (Tamunosiki), Gladys Achese, expressed anguish over the imprisonment of her sister.
Achese demanded the release of the 36-year-old, adding that each time she visited her sister, she couldn’t help but cry.
“This is not a nice experience. It is usually traumatising whenever I visit my sister in prison. The day I went, I was just crying; she was the one consoling me,” Achese said.
She revealed that her parents had pleaded with Mrs Jonathan, but nothing meaningful came out of the visit.
Achese mentioned that her parents had been affected by the situation.
She said, “They have been shuttling between Bayelsa and Port Harcourt since 2019 to see her. I am not saying my sister is guilty or not, but the court should do the right thing and give them fair hearing.
“They should also preside over the matter and give judgment. They have been delaying everything for six years now. We demand that the court be allowed to do its job. It is a bailable offence; they should grant them bail, and they will go to the court session from their locations.”
Steve Ibiene, the brother of another detainee, William Alami, expressed sadness over the situation, stating that he had been upset since his brother was imprisoned.
Ibiene said, “We only want them to do what is right. Let the court try them quickly, and if they are guilty, then sentence them to serve their punishment. They should not just be kept in prison without being tried. An investigation should be carried out. No court has pronounced them guilty, yet they have been in prison for six years.
“If they are later found guilty, what will happen to the six years they have spent? They should release all of them. No court has said they are guilty of the crime.
“The first lady accused people of theft and took them to prison, not just to a cell. She has been the one frustrating the case because she is a powerful person. Every time they go to court, they say the prosecutor is not around.”
Another relative, Boma Hubert, said his brother, Reginald Sunday, who was working in the former first lady’s hotel in Otuoke, was accused of stealing jewellery at the presidential villa in Abuja.
He described the continued detention of his brother as illegal, attributing it to the failure of the former first lady to appear in court since the case commenced in 2019.
Hubert said, “She (Patience Jonathan) has never appeared in court since the case started in 2019. The court was sitting twice a month before, but since 2023, the court has been sitting only once a month.
“The judge told us earlier this year that the case may be thrown out since the former first lady has never appeared in court, but nothing has been done to release them. I suspect that she (Patience Jonathan) is using her influence and power to ensure that they are not released.”
Similarly, the father of another defendant, Offor Cosmos, said he was exhausted, adding that his wife nearly died when the situation occurred.
Cosmos stated that his son had gone to Bayelsa to work for the former first lady, adding that he never expected things to turn out this way.
He said, “My son is suffering. He has pile and it is disturbing him seriously. I want the government to help me because I do not know what is happening. The woman should leave my son.”
Case suffers 40 adjournments
It was learnt that efforts by a human rights organisation, Tech4Justice, to secure the release of the defendants on bail were frustrated.
The organisation accused the Bayelsa State judiciary of succumbing to pressure from influential individuals close to the former first lady.Providing insight into the challenges surrounding the case, a legal associate of the group, Funmi Adedoyin, said the prosecution had yet to close its case, adding that the accused persons had not opened their defence.
She revealed that the matter had been adjourned more than 40 times between 2019 and 2025.
Adedoyin said, “We have filed applications, made representations, and sought bail on many occasions. But the judiciary appears unwilling to proceed with the case. These young men and women have been forgotten in prison.
“Due to the political weight of the complainant in the matter, we have encountered several hurdles. The judge who was handling the case was later elevated to the position of Chief Judge of Bayelsa State.
“Since her elevation, it has been difficult for her to combine administrative duties with presiding over this particular case. She is often away on official assignments. However, in recent times, she has begun to give the matter some attention, with efforts towards accelerated hearing.”
The lawyer also lamented the frequent absence of police prosecutors in court, saying it had further stalled proceedings.
“For the past two adjournments, last month and again on Wednesday this week, the case could not proceed because the police prosecutor was absent. Several police officers have handled the case, and most of them have been transferred out of Bayelsa, with some now serving in Lagos and other places. They often give excuses about being on special assignments.
“Many of the adjournments have been due to the absence of police witnesses. Also, the general slow pace of justice in Nigeria contributes to the delay, especially as courts went on vacation for several months,” she said.
Adedoyin said efforts were made to secure the detainees’ bail, but the applications were denied at the early stage of the trial.
“They have been behind bars. We applied for bail at the beginning of the case, but it was denied. The trial has been ongoing, but several factors have delayed it until now,” she said.
She expressed sadness over the plight of one of the female defendants who lost her child while in custody and was unable to attend the funeral.
“Three of the defendants are currently on bail on health grounds, including one who had tuberculosis,” the counsel added.
‘Charged for conspiracy to kill’
Adedoyin noted that rather than investigate those directly involved in the theft, the police arrested all domestic staff on the alleged instruction of the complainant.
She revealed that beyond what was being reported, the 15 domestic staff were charged with conspiracy to kill the former first lady.
“Everyone in the villa was arrested. The police know that stealing is a bailable offence. Because of that, they charged them with another offence entirely different from the alleged theft of the jewellery – conspiracy to kill Madam Patience Jonathan. This is another exposé on what happened.”
“This was to ensure that they would not have any means of escape. The police did not even have any evidence suggesting that these people were armed. That is why it has been very difficult to secure their bail,” she added.
Efforts to get a reaction from Mrs Jonathan proved abortive.
Calls and messages to the Media Adviser of the Jonathan family, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Saudi Arabia has executed five Ethiopian nationals convicted of smuggling hashish into the kingdom, bringing the number of executions carried out in the country this year to 205.
The Saudi Interior Ministry announced the executions on Thursday, November 5, 2026, saying the five men were found guilty of participating in the smuggling of hashish into the country.
According to a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency, the executions were carried out in the Asir region in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The latest executions bring to 32 the number of Ethiopian nationals put to death in Saudi Arabia in 2026, making Ethiopians the largest foreign nationality among those executed this year.
Five Ethiopians were reportedly executed in June, while another five were put to death in July over similar drug-related offences.
The latest development comes amid growing international concern over Saudi Arabia’s increasing use of capital punishment, particularly against foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offences.
Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a report published in July, warned that at least 79 Ethiopian nationals remained at imminent risk of execution over similar charges.
The rights organisation also raised concerns about alleged violations of fair trial guarantees, including inadequate access to legal representation and interpretation services for some Ethiopian migrants facing capital punishment.
Saudi Arabia recorded 356 executions in 2025, its highest annual figure on record.
Thousands of Ethiopians live and work in Saudi Arabia, many of whom migrate in search of employment through the dangerous Eastern Route connecting the Horn of Africa to the oil-rich kingdom through Yemen.
The route exposes migrants to serious security and humanitarian risks during their journey.
A 25-year-old amateur boxer, Kehinde Asimiyu, popularly known as KBlaq, has been stabbed to death following a disagreement over transport fare involving a commercial motorcyclist in Oyo State.
The incident occurred at Olodo Garage in Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the killing, announcing the arrest of two suspects in connection with the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a statement that the command received a report of the incident on November 1, 2026.
According to the police, the deceased was allegedly stabbed with a broken bottle by a suspect identified as Taiwo Babarinde during the disagreement.
“Following receipt of the report, police operatives, accompanied by a patrol team, immediately mobilised to the scene, while the victim was rushed to Academy Hospital, Texaco, Iwo Road, Ibadan, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the statement said.
The police added that the deceased’s remains were subsequently deposited at Adejare Embalming Centre for preservation, while photographs were taken as part of the preliminary investigation.
Two suspects, identified as Taiwo Babarinde, who allegedly inflicted the fatal injury, and Ishola Semiu, who is suspected of involvement in the incident, have been arrested.
“Both suspects are currently in police custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, for comprehensive investigation,” Ayanlade stated.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over suspected links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and awarded them a total of N20 million in compensation after investigations cleared them of the allegations.
The four men described their release as the happiest day of their lives after spending about four years in DSS custody.
The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, reportedly ordered their release and the payment of N5 million to each of them following their clearance.
The beneficiaries are Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry. They were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
According to Vanguard, a source familiar with the development disclosed that investigations established that the men had been misled into believing they would receive a monthly payment of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
They were allegedly lured by individuals linked to IPOB, who are currently facing trial.
Speaking on behalf of the four men, Emele Uduma Ibe expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership, describing the day of their release as the happiest moment of his life.
He said the experience had taught him valuable lessons which he intended to share with others, while offering prayers for the DSS Director-General and the management of the Service.
Meanwhile, their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for its efforts towards national security and respect for human rights.
The law firm particularly praised Ajayi’s approach to human rights issues, describing the level of hygiene and professionalism within the Service as exceptional.
The development is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.
The DSS reportedly reviewed more than 300 cases, with the exercise leading to a reduction in the number of detainees at its facilities to about 100 following investigations. The agency has also reportedly paid over N1 billion in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations or affected by operational mistakes.
Other beneficiaries include a Jos-based businessman who received N20 million after being mistakenly shot by DSS operatives in Plateau State, Chineze Ozoadibe, who was paid N10 million following her wrongful arrest, and Sunday Ifedi, who also received N10 million after investigations cleared him of links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was similarly awarded N5 million after investigations absolved him of IPOB-related allegations.
A source disclosed that the four newly released men would also receive psychological and medical support, in addition to assistance with their reintegration into society.
In a recent media interview, Ajayi acknowledged that the DSS, like every human institution, could make mistakes, stressing that such errors must be addressed.
He reportedly maintained that whenever the Service acknowledges wrongdoing, it has a responsibility to provide remedies, including compensation, while improving its operations in line with the rule of law.
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said some bandits he engaged with claimed they could not abandon their violent activities because they feared being killed if they surrendered or gave up their weapons.
Gumi said the armed men described the persistent attacks as a cycle of revenge, alleging that military operations and killings in their communities had fuelled their resolve to continue attacking.
According to the cleric, some of the bandits admitted that the bloodshed had become excessive but insisted they felt compelled to sustain the violence in retaliation for attacks against their communities.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said.
He added, “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”
Gumi made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, with excerpts from the conversation circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.
Explaining the grievances of the armed groups, the cleric said they accused security forces and local vigilantes of killing women and children during operations initially aimed at tackling cattle rustling.
He said the bandits questioned the killing of civilians in their communities and viewed such incidents as justification for retaliatory attacks.
“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted the bandits as asking.
Gumi said the armed men believed the situation had degenerated into a cycle of violence characterised by revenge, attacks and counterattacks.
“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.
The cleric called for negotiations to end the killings, arguing that religious leaders should help create an avenue for dialogue between the parties.
“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.
Asked why the bandits could not abandon their activities, Gumi attributed their reluctance to fears that they would be killed if they surrendered.
“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said.
The cleric also alleged that financial sponsorship and rivalry among armed groups were contributing to the proliferation of sophisticated weapons.
Asked whether individuals were financing the bandits, Gumi said such a possibility could not be ruled out.
“It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now,” he said.
He explained that rival groups were acquiring more powerful weapons to outmatch and intimidate one another, creating what he described as an arms race.
“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups.
“There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” he said.
On the source of the firearms, Gumi claimed that the armed groups obtained weapons through illegal markets, where buyers could access them if they had the money.
“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.
Gumi further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were involved in supplying weapons to armed groups operating in Nigeria, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he said.
Asked whether foreign countries could be supplying weapons to Nigerian bandits and terrorists, the cleric said it was possible, suggesting that countries with strategic interests in Nigeria could be involved.
“It’s possible,” he replied.
…Ondo State Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Three Bags of Fake Dollar Notes
Men of the Ondo State Police Command have uncovered a suspected counterfeit United States dollar printing factory in Kiniso Village, via Ajue, Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake dollar notes.
The operation followed a complaint by a businessman, Yusuf Nasiru, from Sabo, Okitipupa, who allegedly lost $6,000, equivalent to about N8.6 million, to two men in a fraudulent foreign exchange transaction.
The suspects reportedly approached Nasiru for a currency exchange transaction but allegedly returned counterfeit dollar notes to him.
According to Nasiru, the incident occurred on October 25, 2026, when two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, visited his shop and requested to exchange United States dollars for their naira equivalent.
He said he handed over $6,000 to the men but they later returned the money, claiming they did not have enough funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.
Nasiru said he subsequently discovered that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit and reported the incident to the police on October 28.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the arrest and discovery of the suspected printing factory, said detectives immediately commenced an investigation following the complaint.
Jimoh said operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters launched an investigation, while intelligence gathering and technical tracking led them to Kiniso Village, where one of the suspects was traced.
He disclosed that police operatives raided the suspected hideout on October 29 following intelligence provided by members of the community.
However, some occupants reportedly escaped through the perimeter fence during the operation.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box believed to be connected to the alleged illegal printing operation.
The arrested suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, reportedly provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
The police spokesman said the command had ordered an intensified investigation to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network and establish the full extent of its operations.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to bringing all those found culpable to justice and warned members of the public against engaging in suspicious foreign exchange transactions with unverified individuals.
Jimoh also advised residents to authenticate foreign currencies before accepting them and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
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