The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has denied reports alleging the illegal detention of 15 domestic staff members of former President Goodluck Jonathan at the request of his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Okaka, Bayelsa State.
Reports claimed the staff had been held for nearly six years without trial over missing jewellery said to be worth over N750 million and allegedly owned by the former First Lady. It was also reported that Dame Patience Jonathan was recently seen in a private meeting with senior correctional officials.
However, the Bayelsa Command of the NCoS has refuted these allegations. In a statement released on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corrections G.T. Isari, described the claims as malicious and baseless.
Isari stated that no such meeting took place between Dame Patience Jonathan and any senior official of the custodial centre. He also clarified that the individuals in question were remanded by a valid order from High Court 1 in Bayelsa State and have been regularly attending court sessions for their trial.
He emphasised that no person can be admitted into any correctional facility in Nigeria without a valid warrant issued by a competent court of law.
He further said:
“They were in court on the 10th and 11th of March 2025, and the last time they appeared was Thursday, 3rd April 2025, when the matter was adjourned to 17th April 2025.
These inmates have been treated fairly and humanely while in NCoS custody, and their fundamental human rights have been respected.”
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cc: Daily Post Ng
