In a significant development, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Bayelsa has openly denied allegations regarding the illegal detention of 15 former domestic staff members of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan at the Okaka Custodial Centre. These claims have stirred controversy, with reports suggesting that the workers have been held unlawfully since 2019.
The allegations detail a series of serious accusations against the former aides, including theft of expensive items such as seven gold bangles, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions, collectively valued at around N200 million. Additionally, reports indicated that the workers are facing 18 separate charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and burglary.
However, in a statement released on Sunday, Isari Gbosi Tombara, the spokesperson for the Okaka Custodial Centre, categorically dismissed these claims as “unfounded” and suggested that they were aimed at maligning the reputation of the correctional service. Refuting speculation about a private meeting between Patience Jonathan and NCoS officials, Tombara asserted that no such meeting occurred.
Tombara further reassured the public, stating that the former domestic workers are being treated with respect for their fundamental rights while in custody. “They were in court on the 10th and 11th of March 2025, with their last court appearance on Thursday, 3rd April 2025, where the matter was adjourned to 17th April 2025,” he added, emphasizing the legality of their detention.
Addressing the criteria for admission into custodial facilities in Nigeria, Tombara made it clear that no individual can enter any custodial centre without a valid remand warrant issued by a competent court. He reaffirmed that the detainees were lawfully remanded in custody in accordance with judicial procedures, stating, “On this note, they are not in our custody illegally."
The NCoS has also assured the public about the peaceful nature of the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre, with Tombara noting, “The command is peaceful, and no chaos exists in our facility. We urge the public to disregard these misleading reports.”
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