A group, the Bayelsa Reinnassance has faulted the smear campaign in the media over the trial of those involved in the 2019 burglary of the home of the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan in Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The group, described as “false and wicked” the alleged claims of undue interference and deliberate incarceration of the accused persons in prison custody leveled against Dame Jonathan.
Convener of the group, Comrade Charles Omorodion, said a check carried out by the group showed that the accused were duely charged to court by the Bayelsa State Police Command, for alleged armed robbery and attempted assassination.
He said based on the facts before the Bayelsa State High Court, the accused persons are made up of those that broke into the former first lady’s home and three other persons who bought the stolen jewellery and valuables.
Omorodion named the detainees as 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.
Others include Mrs. Jonathan’s former personal assistant, her boyfriend, the person who duplicated the keys to the former first lady’s home and two Nigeriens.
“The media are just being misled by some persons. These accused made confessional statements and engaged over six lawyers, and these lawyers have deliberately refused to attend court hearings.
“And due to the fact that the case is a capital offence in nature, if any of the defense counsels did not come to court for hearing, the case would be adjourned. That is what has been delaying hearing.
“In this case, if one lawyer does not come to court, the judge will be forced to adjourned the trial. This is what has been frustrating the case,” Omorodion explained.
The group also denied claims that Dame Jonathan had mounted pressure on the Bayelsa State chief judge and the controller of the Medium Correctional Centre in Yenagoa, to elongate the incarceration of the accused persons.
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It added that last Thursday’s court sitting was adjourned due to the visit of the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu’s visit to Bayelsa State.
“The Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye and other judges were present at Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
“The case is a police case. And the accused have lawyers. They made confessional statements which led to the arrest of those who bought the stolen valuable items,” the group added.
Meanwhile, a close source to the Jonathan family, said the smear campaign is a deliberate attempt by the sponsors of the theft to force the former first lady to abandon the case brought against the accused persons in court.
“But, they should know that there is no sentiment in law. The accused persons stole and sold the stolen items.
“The police were contacted and investigation indicted them. Even the chief security officer to the Jonathan family was interrogated and cleared.
“Are the sponsors of the smear campaign in the media being used to stampede the former first lady or the police to abandon the case based on sentiments?
“The owner of Sahara Reporters is a known antagonist of the former first family. And no member of the former first family is ready to engage him on a case subsisting in court.
“The accused persons and their lawyers should facilitate the case by presenting their defence, rather than allow some persons stampede the judiciary,” the source said.
