The Nigerian Correctional Service has denied reports of illegal detention of 15 former domestic workers of Patience Jonathan. Allegations of theft and burglary, along with claims of mistreatment, were dismissed, with the NCoS confirming legal custody and regular court appearances of the detainees.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Bayelsa State Command has denied claims of illegal detention of 15 former domestic staff of Patience Jonathan, the former First Lady, at the Okaka Custodial Centre. These allegations, which surfaced recently, suggested that the workers had been held since 2019 due to the theft of valuables, including gold bangles, jewelry, and electronics worth approximately N200 million.
The accused individuals were allegedly charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder and burglary. However, the NCoS refuted these claims, calling them “false” and stating that they were part of a smear campaign against the Service. A spokesperson for the Bayelsa Command, Isari Gbosi Tombara, clarified that there had been no secret meetings between Patience Jonathan and senior NCoS officers in the state.
Tombara further emphasized that the detainees had appeared in court on multiple occasions, with their cases legally progressing. The most recent hearing was held on April 3, 2025, and the next court date is set for April 17, 2025. The NCoS also reassured the public that all individuals held at the Okaka Custodial Centre were legally detained, accompanied by valid remand warrants issued by competent courts.
The NCoS confirmed that the Centre remains peaceful, with all detainees treated fairly and humanely by their fundamental rights. The NCoS leadership under Acting Controller General Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche reiterated its commitment to maintaining the humane treatment of all lawfully detained individuals.
