A Bayelsa-based group, Bayelsa Renaissance, has condemned the ongoing media smear campaign against former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, regarding the ongoing trial of those involved in the 2019 burglary of her residence in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The group, led by Comrade Charles Omorodion, described as “false and wicked” the allegations of undue interference and deliberate incarceration of the accused made against Dame Patience Jonathan. Omorodion emphasized that the accusations were baseless, asserting that the individuals involved had been properly charged by the Bayelsa Police Command with armed robbery and the attempted assassination of the former First Lady.
According to the police, the accused group includes individuals who were involved in the break-in at Dame Jonathan’s home, as well as three persons who bought the stolen exotic jewelry and valuables. The full list of detainees includes: Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Sahabi Lima, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Salomi Wareboka, Sunday Reginald, Boma Oba, Vivian Golden, and Emeka Benson.
Among those arrested is the former First Lady’s Personal Assistant, known as Madam Sikpi, who allegedly provided the key to the residence to her boyfriend, facilitating the theft. The boyfriend, along with a second accomplice responsible for duplicating the key, was also arrested. The list also includes the former First Lady’s nephew, who had been educated and supported by the Jonathan family and was provided a flat in Yenagoa. He, too, was involved in the crime.
One of the accused reportedly used the proceeds from the theft to fund her wedding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and purchased land behind the University of Port Harcourt.
Police sources revealed that when Dame Patience Jonathan suspected her jewelry had gone missing, she retrieved her key from her PA, but unbeknownst to her, the key had been duplicated. When she changed the locks for the third time, the theft became evident. The accused, armed with battle axes, swords, and hammers, broke into the house, damaging over six bulletproof doors. They ransacked the residence, but fortunately, the First Lady was not at home at the time. The police raised concerns about what might have happened had she been home, given the break-in’s violent nature.
Additionally, two Nigerian nationals from Niger Republic are facing charges for purchasing the stolen gold and valuable items, totaling over N500 million.
The Bayelsa Police prosecution office clarified that the media had been misled by certain individuals, noting that the accused made confessional statements. They also mentioned that over six lawyers were involved in the case, but some lawyers have deliberately failed to attend court hearings, causing delays in the trial. Due to the capital nature of the case, hearings are frequently adjourned when any lawyer is absent.
The group, Bayelsa Renaissance, also refuted claims that Dame Patience Jonathan had pressured the Bayelsa Chief Judge or the Controller of the Medium Correctional Detention Centre to extend the detention of the accused. They cited that the adjournment of the court session last Thursday was due to the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, to Bayelsa State, with the Chief Judge and other judges attending her visit.
“This is a police case, and the accused have legal representation. They have made confessional statements, which led to the arrest of those who bought the stolen items,” said a spokesperson from the police prosecution office.
A close source to the Jonathan family stressed that the smear campaign was a deliberate effort to pressure the former First Lady into abandoning the case. The source remarked, “There is no sentiment in law. The accused stole and sold the stolen items. The police conducted an investigation that led to their arrest, and even the Chief Security Officer to the Jonathan family was questioned and cleared. Why are those behind the smear campaign trying to force the abandonment of the case?”
The source also noted that the accused were implicating each other in the crime. The PA, initially excluded from the investigation, was later arrested after further evidence showed her involvement.
The Jonathan family member further stated that the families of the accused had approached Dame Patience Jonathan to plead for leniency, but the former First Lady, deeply affected by the theft of her precious jewelry, was more concerned with the proper resolution of the case. “She was not trying to influence the judiciary or prison authorities. She just wants closure so that she can have her peace,” the source concluded.
