A combined picture of Patience Jonathan and six of her former domestic Staff
By Victory Oghene
The Bayelsa State High Court has denied allegations that the prolonged prosecution of 15 former domestic workers accused of stealing former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s jewellery is due to external influence or judicial inefficiency.
In a statement on Sunday, Julius L. Nyananyo, Head of Media and Information for the court, dismissed allegations that the case was being delayed deliberately or at the request of the former First Lady.
“We further deny as false and untrue that any person or authority is exerting influence or dictating the pace of the case,” the statement read.
The court further clarified that the case, being handled in High Court 1 under Chief Judge Hon. Justice Matilda Ayemieye, has been granted an accelerated hearing to ensure timely proceedings.
It said, “The said case is being prosecuted by the state against the 15 persons as defendants and is currently being handled in High Court 1, presided by Hon.Justice Matilda Ayemieye, Chief Judge of Bayelsa State and the charge sheet includes allegations of armed robbery and attempted murder.
“The case was assigned to Hon. Justice Ayemieye in 2019 before my Lord became the Chief Judge, and His Lordship, granted accelerated hearing to enable parties to conduct the matter speedy.
“From available records, the matter has suffered delays due to multiple defence lawyers who must cross- examine witnesses which have slowed down proceedings and the case has also suffered several adjournments at the instance of the counsel.
“His Lordship had earlier advised the defence team to work together by reducing the lawyers involved in the matter in the interest of the accused persons for speedy dispensation of the case.”
However, the statement added that recent developments—such as an application for a trial within a trial—have inevitably extended the duration of the case.
“The court has always sat on all days assigned for the case and the delay in the matter is not the fault of the court, only recently an application for Trial within Trial was made which the court granted, this obviously will further delay the case,” it said.
