Patience Jonathan
Somina Johnbull, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa branch, Bayelsa state, has explained the reasons behind the delay in the trial of former domestic workers of ex-first lady Patience Jonathan.
John Bull spoke on Monday during a press conference organised to brief journalists on the activities for the 2025 Law Week.
Since 2019, the domestic workers of the former first lady have been in detention over the alleged theft of seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions valued at N200 million.
They were charged with 18 counts bordering on conspiracy to commit murder and burglary.
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When asked to react to the continued detention of the domestic workers and prolonged delay in their trial, Johnbull said the association has investigated the matter.
He noted that due to the nature of the case, the court cannot proceed with the trial if any of the 13 defendants’ lawyers is absent.
The NBA chairman said the court cannot be blamed for the delay in the prosecution of the case, adding that records have shown that the trial judge has consistently been ready to proceed each time the matter comes up.
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“I want to say that the NBA investigated the case. We spoke with all the lawyers, and the fault isn’t from the court. We had a situation where there were 13 defendants,” Johnbull said.
“The 13 defendants all have their different lawyers, and any day, because it’s also a case that has capital punishment, any day that any of the lawyers don’t come to court, the case cannot proceed.
“And we found out from the records that there was never a time this matter came up for hearing and the court wasn’t ready to hear the matter.
“This is a case that we have found somewhat strange. In Bayelsa, without sounding immodest, it is very strange for any matter to last beyond three or four years because of the facilities that have been provided and the e-recording system, and so we find it strange, and then we investigate it.
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“And, as a matter of fact, on the last day that the matter came up, I think the court even volunteered to recuse itself in April from the matter on account of the sensationalisation of that matter.
“All the defendants appealed that they still wanted the matter to proceed and that they had confidence in the court.”
