Justice continues to elude 15 domestic workers reportedly associated with former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, as a Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa once again failed to sit on their long-standing detention case, adjourning proceedings indefinitely.
The workers, who were arrested in 2019 under unclear circumstances allegedly linked to investigations surrounding the former First Lady, have spent over six years in detention without trial, drawing criticism from human rights advocates and legal observers.
At today's scheduled sitting, both the defence counsel and family members of the detainees arrived at the court premises with hopes that justice would finally be served. However, they were informed that the judge handling the matter was unavailable and that no new date had been fixed for continuation.
This marks yet another delay in a case that has seen multiple adjournments, procedural setbacks, and prolonged incarceration without conviction. The absence of judicial clarity or progress has fueled growing concerns over abuse of legal process and disregard for the constitutional rights of the detained individuals.
“We are tired of the endless delays. These people have been held without proper charges or trial. It is a disgrace to our justice system,” said Barrister Tamuno Ebi, legal representative for the accused. “The indefinite adjournment is not just a denial of justice, it is a denial of humanity.”
Human rights organizations have also decried the development, calling it a "flagrant violation of due process and a stain on Nigeria's legal integrity."