Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, [/b]has found herself at the center of a heated controversy following accusations that she has been detaining 15 of her domestic staff members over the alleged theft of a missing jewelry item.
According to various reports, the domestic workers have been held at Okaka Correctional Centre in Bayelsa State since 2019, under accusations of stealing a piece of jewelry reportedly valued at $3 million. The items in question are said to have gone missing from the former First Lady’s residence, sparking a lengthy and ongoing investigation into the matter.
In addition to the theft charge, the staff members have reportedly been charged with more serious offenses, including armed robbery, malicious damage, attempted murder, and stealing. However, their trial has yet to proceed, with legal proceedings stalled due to a lack of concrete evidence to substantiate the claims against them. The long-standing legal limbo has further raised questions about the fairness of their detention.
This unconfirmed report has stirred widespread outrage online, with human rights activists expressing concern over the prolonged detention of the workers and the ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding their case. Many have called for a thorough investigation and for the rights of the domestic staff to be respected under Nigerian law.