Nigerian Correctional Service Confirms Remand Of Patience Jonathan’s 15 Domestic Staff, Says Trial Ongoing Since 2019

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The Correctional Service, however, insists that their detention is not only legal but also court-sanctioned.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Bayelsa State Command, has admitted that 15 domestic staff linked to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, have been held at its Medium Security Custodial Centre in Okaka, Bayelsa State.

The Correctional Service, however, insists that their detention is not only legal but also court-sanctioned.

This was stated in a press statement issued by Nigerian Correctional Service, Bayelsa State Command on Saturday and obtained by SaharaReporters.

The press statement confirmed SaharaReporters’ reports on the prolonged detention of the domestic workers at the prison.

SaharaReporters had gathered that the former First Lady had been keeping the aides in custody since 2019 without a fair trial, allegedly using her influence to maintain their detention while engaging in clandestine meetings with prison officials.

But the Nigerian Correctional Service, in a statement dated April 5, 2025, denied these claims, insisting the detainees were well treated at the custody. 

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Correctional Service, Bayelsa State Command, wishes to debunk reports making the rounds in some sections of the social media that former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, illegally detained 15 domestic staff without fair trial at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Okaka, Bayelsa State.

“The rumour has been in circulation, purporting that the former First Lady detained the said domestic staff since 2019 for theft, and that there was a closed-door meeting between the former First Lady and top correctional officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Bayelsa State Command.

“These statements are unfounded and being spread in order to tarnish the good image of the Service.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Service categorically states that there was no such meeting between the former First Lady and top officials of the command as concocted in the reports. Also, the said inmates were remanded in custody by the High Court 1 of Bayelsa State and have been attending trials as and when due. They were in court on the 10th and 11th of March 2025, and the last time they attended court was Thursday, 3rd April 2025 where the matter was adjourned to 17th of April 2025. The said inmates have also been treated fairly and humanely while in custody, and their fundamental human rights are respected.

“The public is informed that no one can be admitted into any custodial centre in Nigeria without a valid warrant from a competent court of jurisdiction; on this note, they are not in our custody illegally as they were all accompanied by valid remand warrants from the court.

“The public is further informed that the command is peaceful and that the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Okaka, remains one of the most peaceful custodial facilities in the country. Hence, they should discountenance the said reports as they are intended to cause chaos where none exists.

“The public is further assured that the Service under the leadership of the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, is poised to ensure the safe and humane custody of all legally interned persons as well as their effective reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration into the larger society.”  

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