The Bayelsa State High Court, handling the trial of 15 domestic staff accused of stealing jewelry belonging to former First Lady Patience Jonathan, states that it has followed due process throughout the case.
This clarification is contained in an e-signed statement by the Head of Media and Information of the state high court, Mr. Julius Nyananyo, and made available to journalists.
The court said as a responsible organisation and in the interest of justice, and balance reportage, it wants to set the records straight in reaction to a media report titled: “Ex-Nigerian First Lady Patience Jonathan holds 15 domestic workers in prison over missing jewelry,” by an online news platform published on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Nyananyo confirmed that the said case is being prosecuted by the state against the 15 defendants, who are facing charges of armed robbery and attempted murder, and is being handled by the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemieye.
He said the case was assigned to Justice Ayemieye in 2019, before she became the state’s chief judge, and that the chief judge had granted the case accelerated hearing to enable parties to conduct the matter speedily.
Nyananyo disclosed that available records show that the matter has suffered delays due to multiple defence lawyers who insist on cross-examining witnesses, which has slowed down proceedings, resulting in the case suffering several adjournments at the instance of counsel.
“His lordship had earlier advised the defence team to work together by reducing the number of lawyers involved in the matter, in the interest of the accused persons for speedy dispensation of the case.
“The court has always sat on all days assigned for the case, and the delay in the matter is not the fault of the court.
“Only recently, an application for trial within trial was made, which the court granted. This obviously will further delay the case,” the statement said.
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On the issue of bail for the defendants, Mr. Nyananyo, noted that bail applications are determined on merit and based on the materials before the court.
He added further that some of the defendants had been admitted to bail.
“If anyone was dissatisfied, there is a mechanism for review of the same, by appealing to the higher courts.
“It is sad and worrisome that the online platform threw the ethics of the journalism profession to the wind and resorted to the use of very derogatory language that negates public decency against the person of the chief judge.
“We further deny as false and untrue that any person or authority is exerting influence or dictating the pace of the case.
“The use of such derogatory language against the person of the presiding judge and the office of the chief judge is most unfortunate and against journalistic principles,” the statement added.
Nyananyo advised reporters to do more investigative journalism than hearsay reportage in the interest of justice and public interest.
