Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has called on former First Lady Patience Jonathan to discontinue a prolonged legal case involving her former aides, who were arrested and detained in 2019 over allegations of theft.
The aides were accused of stealing seven gold bangles and jewelry, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstered chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions, with the total value estimated at ₦200 million.
Since their arrest, the case has reportedly been adjourned over 40 times, prolonging their detention. Tragically, one of the accused reportedly fell ill in prison and died while awaiting justice.
Adeyanju, speaking on the matter, appealed for compassion:
“This is no longer about the stolen jewelry but about people who have been locked up and suffering for too long. Even if they had been found guilty, they would not have spent this long behind bars for such an offense. And if they are innocent, then we have all watched them suffer for nothing.”
He urged Mrs. Jonathan to intervene and allow the remaining detainees to return to their families, stressing that justice delayed is justice denied.
The development has sparked fresh debates about Nigeria’s judicial system, prolonged detentions, and the need for urgent reforms to prevent human rights abuses.
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