Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has appealed to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to withdraw the ongoing jewellery theft case against her former domestic staff following the death of one of the defendants in prison.
In an open letter shared via his X handle on Tuesday, Adeyanju said the passing of Sahabi Liman, who reportedly fell gravely ill while in custody, highlights the dangers of prolonged detention without resolution.
“For more than five years now, fifteen of your former domestic staff have been standing trial over allegations of missing jewellery. They were arrested in 2019, kept in custody, and dragged through the courts without closure,” Adeyanju wrote. “That death is a reminder that justice delayed so severely becomes no justice at all.”
He argued that even if the defendants had been convicted, they would not have spent this length of time in prison for the alleged offences. He stressed that punishment must be proportionate and urged the former First Lady to show compassion.
“This is no longer about stolen jewellery but about human beings who have suffered far beyond proportion,” Adeyanju added. “I therefore appeal to you as a mother figure to discontinue this case as an act of fairness, and let these ex-workers rebuild their lives.”
Fifteen former aides of the ex-First Lady were arraigned before the Bayelsa State High Court in 2019 on charges of allegedly stealing jewellery and household items valued at N200 million, including seven gold bangles, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions.
Those charged include Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Sunday Reginald, Vivian Golden, Emeka Benson, Boma Oba, Salomi Wareboka, and the late Sahabi Liman.
The matter remains before the court.
About the Author
