Fresh concerns are mounting over the controversial detention of 15 domestic workers who have been held for nearly six years without trial on the orders of former First Lady Patience Jonathan, as she was spotted in a closed-door meeting with top officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Bayelsa State on Friday.
A source privy to the development told SaharaReporters that Patience Jonathan hurriedly arrived in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Friday, following SaharaReporters’ reports about the inhumane conditions under which the detained workers have been suffering at Okaka Correctional Centre.
“I got reliably informed that Patience Jonathan is in town now (Yenagoa). She was not in town before the posts, but came in after the news started flying,” the source disclosed.
“She invited the controller of prisons, Bayelsa Command, and the assistant controller in charge of the correctional facility the domestic workers are in. They met her at her hotel, Aridolf Resort,” the source added.
The closed-door meeting reportedly lasted until around 5 pm on Friday. Sources fear the visit may be an attempt to suppress further revelations or pressure prison officials amid mounting public outcry against the prolonged detention of her former domestic staff over her missing jewellery.
The 15 domestic workers, including both men and women, have been behind bars since 2019 following an accusation of theft involving missing jewellery reportedly belonging to the former First Lady.
Despite no conviction and a lack of evidence presented in court, their detention has continued with no end in sight.
The detainees are: Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Sahabi Lima, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Salomi Wareboka, Sunday Reginald, Boma Oba, Vivian Golden, and Emeka Benson.
SaharaReporters previously published an exclusive report detailing gruesome torture sessions reportedly led and personally supervised by Patience Jonathan on the detainees.
“Severe torture, which included hanging, beating with whips, sticks, machetes… Patience Jonathan repeatedly insisted angrily that the police were not doing enough torture to her satisfaction,” a source earlier revealed.
The source further alleged that she ordered the detainees to be taken to her husband’s residence at Nikton Road, Kpansia, Yenagoa, where she personally brutalised them using her high-heeled shoes.
“She also delegated ASP Collins Otutu, her husband’s chief security officer, to oversee the torture. He often came drunk, bringing bottles of alcohol for officers like OC Chris and others before they proceeded with the torture,” one of the detainees wrote.
© SaharaReporters