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.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, violated the conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit while in the commission’s custody.
The anti-graft agency also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements made during the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it approved El-Rufai’s medical visit in compliance with a Kaduna State High Court order and in keeping with its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, El-Rufai was absent when proceedings commenced on the first day.
The ICPC said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to convey El-Rufai to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal physician.
The commission stated that no prior request had been made for the medical consultation and that when questioned by its medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he consult his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition seeking the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the hospital visit in line with the court’s directive.
The commission said its medical and security personnel accompanied El-Rufai to the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, on Tuesday and remained outside the consultation room at the request of his family members while he was being attended to by an oncologist.
However, the ICPC alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period designated for the medical consultation.
According to the commission, the photographs suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the purpose approved by the court.
“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.
The commission said it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with professionalism, patience and courtesy, but alleged that its goodwill had been abused.
It added that it would bring the alleged violation of the court order to the attention of the court.
The ICPC also announced that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, warning that it would not tolerate any abuse of its goodwill or disregard for court orders.
The controversy surrounding the alleged N1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal deepened on Monday following the reported arrest of the father of the council’s embattled promoter, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The Federal Government has listed the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and 10 others as prosecution witnesses.
The arrest of Adeyemi’s father reportedly took place at the family’s residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Monday. According to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, police officers stormed the residence and took the elderly man into custody.
“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to appear in court, so why arrest his father?” Falana said.
Eyewitnesses alleged that police officers arrived in four vehicles, prevented neighbours from intervening, and took the elderly man to a police station. A family friend who was visiting the residence was also reportedly arrested, while Adeyemi’s aged mother was left in a state of shock.
The development has sparked concerns among legal practitioners and human rights advocates over the legality of the arrest.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, cautioned against drawing conclusions without knowing the reasons behind the arrest.
“If a person is arrested solely to pressure a suspect to surrender, such an arrest is unlawful,” Osigwe said. “However, if the father is himself a suspect or a person of interest in the investigation, then the law permits his arrest.”
Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sam Erugo, maintained that arresting a parent for an offence allegedly committed by a child is unlawful.
According to Erugo, Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, expressly prohibits arrest by proxy or in lieu of another person.
He, however, urged the Nigeria Police Force to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest, stressing that the public deserves a clear explanation from the authorities.
The Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrest as of the time of filing this report.
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Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Sunday one man was killed in front of his shop in the northeastern city of eMalahleni by unidentified criminals.
It gave no more details on the incident, which it said took place on Sunday, June 28 — on a weekend when tensions were building up ahead of nationwide anti-migrant rallies last week.
Vigilantes have attacked foreign nationals and looted foreign-owned shops on numerous occasions in the last few months, as South Africans blame immigrants for problems such as crime and unemployment. Migrant rights groups say foreigners are being used as scapegoats for deep-rooted problems.
Ghana said last week one of its citizens was fatally wounded in a shooting during the anti-immigrant demonstrations. South Africa said his killing was not related to the protests and accused Ghana of spreading misinformation.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks against migrants. Police said they arrested 900 people during last week’s protests.
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Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Sunday: “We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance… against foreigners is not addressed.”
Crime
Enugu Forest Guard Rescues Kidnap Victim, Arrests Native Doctor, Others in Intelligence-Led Operation
A coordinated operation by the Enugu State Forest Guard has led to the rescue of a kidnapped man and the arrest of four suspected criminals, including a man allegedly linked to ritual activities connected to the abduction.
The intelligence-driven operation was carried out in the Ette axis of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area following credible information that a young man, identified as Samson Eleje Abah, had been lured into a forest and abducted by suspected criminals.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Forest Guard stormed the location, rescued the victim unharmed, and arrested three suspects identified as Reuben Okwudili, Reuben Gebechukwu Chinoso, and Reuben Emeka.
The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Forest Guard said further intelligence gathered during the operation led to the arrest of John Agbo, a resident of Ofante Egberi in Kogi State, who allegedly travelled to the community to perform ritual activities believed to be connected to the kidnapping. He has also been transferred to the police to assist with ongoing investigations.
According to the agency, preliminary findings, supported by consultations with community leaders, revealed that residents had previously raised concerns about the alleged criminal activities of some of the suspects and had consistently provided intelligence to security agencies.
Community leaders condemned the incident and reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to combat crime. They also announced the imposition of traditional sanctions on the family of the principal suspects in accordance with local customs, stressing that criminality would not be tolerated in the community.
Describing the operation as another major breakthrough in its intelligence-led security campaign, the Forest Guard reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping, violent crime, and other security threats across Enugu State.
The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage, and swift response.
“We commend our operatives for their professionalism and prompt action in rescuing the victim and apprehending the suspects,” Olasoji said.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, emphasizing that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against crime.
“The Forest Guard will sustain aggressive patrols and deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure criminal elements have no safe haven in Enugu State,” he added.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, stole more than ₦7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in a midnight cyberattack.
Olukoyede made the revelation during the public presentation of two books authored by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
According to the EFCC chairman, the judge contacted him around 1 a.m. after receiving multiple debit alerts from her bank account. She told him that about ₦7.2 million—money she had saved over six years for her child’s education—had been fraudulently withdrawn.
He said the commission immediately swung into action and, despite legal restrictions limiting certain investigative activities in the state where the incident occurred, successfully recovered the entire sum before the close of business that same day.
Olukoyede said the incident underscores the increasing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria and warned that many people only appreciate its devastating impact after becoming victims.
He called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, the judiciary and the public to combat internet-related crimes more effectively.
The EFCC boss also urged the National Assembly and legal experts to review existing laws to accommodate the use of artificial intelligence in criminal investigations, noting that current legal provisions make it difficult for AI-generated evidence to be admitted in court.
Also speaking at the event, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts to recover stolen public funds traced to foreign countries.
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