After Six Years in Custody, Court Fixes Trial for Patience Jonathan’s Ex-Workers

A High Court in Bayelsa State has fixed May 22 for the continuation of trial in the long-running case involving 15 former domestic workers of ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan, bringing renewed attention to a matter that has lingered in the justice system for over six years.

The defendants have been in custody since 2019 over allegations that they stole jewellery and valuables reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira from the former First Lady. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the case has suffered repeated adjournments, prolonged absence of the presiding judge, and failure to fix consistent hearing dates—factors that stalled proceedings even after the prosecution had closed its case.

At the last hearing, the matter had reached the stage where the defendants were expected to open their defence. However, delays persisted until recent developments, with sources indicating that increased media scrutiny and public pressure prompted judicial authorities to finally set a definite date for trial to resume.

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Families of the accused have continued to challenge the credibility of the prosecution’s case, alleging that key confessional statements presented in court were obtained under duress. Some of the defendants had earlier told the court they were subjected to torture during interrogation, raising concerns among rights advocates about human rights violations in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Relatives also alleged behind-the-scenes interference by officials, claiming efforts were made to keep the accused in prolonged detention and frustrate the progress of the trial. While these claims remain unproven in court, they have intensified public debate around judicial independence in Nigeria and the handling of high-profile cases.

The prolonged detention has had devastating consequences. One of the defendants, Sahabi Liman, died in custody after his health reportedly deteriorated. According to family accounts, he had earlier been granted bail on medical grounds and briefly showed signs of recovery before his condition worsened.

Other defendants are also said to be battling serious health conditions, with concerns raised over limited access to adequate medical care while in custody.

Legal observers note that the case underscores broader systemic issues, including delayed justice in Nigeria, prolonged pre-trial detention, and the rights of defendants awaiting trial. The principle that justice delayed is justice denied has been repeatedly cited in discussions surrounding the case.

With the May 22 date now fixed, attention will shift to the courtroom as the defendants prepare to present their defence in what has become one of the most closely watched prolonged detention cases involving aides to a high-profile political figure.

After Six Years in Custody, Court Fixes Trial for Patience Jonathan’s Ex-Workers

Court Orders ₦1bn Damages as Natasha Rejects Verdict, Files Appeal

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has formally rejected a ₦1 billion defamation judgment delivered against her by a Kogi State High Court, escalating her legal battle with former governor Yahaya Bello to the Court of Appeal.

The ruling, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in Lokoja in suit number HCL/16/2023, found the senator liable for defamatory remarks made during an appearance on The Morning Show on November 4, 2022. The court held that her statements—where she allegedly described Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “terror to the people of Kogi State”—were injurious to his reputation and lacked sufficient legal justification.

In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim ruled that the comments went beyond the bounds of political criticism and amounted to character assassination. He consequently awarded ₦1 billion in general damages in favour of Bello and issued a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making further defamatory statements against him across all platforms.

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Reacting swiftly, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the judgment as flawed and unjust, insisting that the court failed to properly evaluate the evidence presented by her legal team. She maintained that her comments were made in good faith and in the interest of public accountability.

“I reject this judgment in its entirety. We presented substantial and credible evidence before the court, which clearly justified our position. Unfortunately, these were not given due consideration,” she said.

The senator further argued that her remarks were based on information available at the time and were aimed at addressing concerns about safety and governance in Kogi State. According to her, the statements were part of her duty as a public office holder to speak on issues affecting her constituents.

Confirming her next legal move, Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed that her lawyers have been instructed to file an appeal, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn the ruling.

“We are heading to the Court of Appeal. This is not the end of the matter. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that justice is served,” she added.

Legal observers note that the case raises broader questions around defamation laws in Nigeria, particularly the thin line between freedom of expression and reputational harm in politically charged environments. The size of the damages awarded has also drawn attention, with analysts describing it as one of the more significant defamation penalties involving political actors in recent times.

While Bello has not issued an extensive fresh statement following the senator’s rejection of the ruling, the judgment represents a major legal victory for the former governor at the trial stage.

The dispute is widely seen as an extension of the long-standing political rivalry between the two Ebira-born figures, reflecting deeper divisions within Kogi politics. With the matter now headed to the appellate court, the case is expected to remain in the spotlight as it could set important precedents for political speech and defamation litigation in Nigeria.

Court Orders ₦1bn Damages as Natasha Rejects Verdict, Files Appeal

Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Family, Two Others in Fresh Benue Attack

A deadly assault has rocked Benue State after gunmen killed a traditional ruler, his wife, and their son during a fresh attack on Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, has heightened fears over rising insecurity in Benue State, particularly in rural communities that have suffered repeated attacks in recent weeks.

According to local sources, the assailants arrived on motorcycles and initially mingled with residents, creating a false sense of normalcy before launching their attack around 8 p.m. Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the residence of the monarch and opened fire, killing him alongside his wife and son.

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Following the initial killings, the attackers reportedly moved to a nearby house, where two additional residents were shot dead, bringing the total number of fatalities to five. One person was also said to have sustained injuries during the incident.

Residents described the attack as swift and coordinated, noting that the gunmen operated for several minutes before fleeing the scene, leaving panic and grief in their wake.

Local authorities have confirmed the incident, while security operatives have since visited the community. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding arrests or the identity of the attackers.

The latest violence underscores growing concerns about herdsmen attacks in Benue and the persistent security challenges facing communities in the state. Stakeholders have continued to call for urgent government intervention to curb the wave of killings and restore peace in affected areas.

Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Family, Two Others in Fresh Benue Attack