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The Bayelsa State Judiciary has described as falsehood a publication allegedly published by Sahara reporters that it unlawfully detained 15 domestic staff of Nigeria’s ex-First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan over allegations bordering on theft of jewelries worth N500m.
In a statement issued by the Head, Media and Information of the State High Court, Mr Julius Nyananyo, the Judiciary described the caption of the publication which reads: “Ex- Nigerian First Lady Patience Jonathan Holds 15 Domestic Workers in Prison over missing Jewellery” dated Thursday 3rd April, 2025 as not only misleading and misinforming the unsuspecting public, but capable of bringing the long protected image of the State Judiciary to disrepute.
The Statement read in parts: “As a responsible organisation we want to set the records straight in the interest of justice and balance reportage.
“The said case is being prosecuted by the State against the 15 persons as defendants and is currently being handled in High Court one, presided by Hon.Justice Matilda Ayemieye, Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, and the charge sheet includes allegations of armed robbery and attempted murder.
“The case was assigned to Hon.Justice Ayemieye in 2019 before my Lord became the Chief Judge, and His Lordship, granted accelerated hearing to enable parties to conduct the matter speedily.
“From available records, the matter has suffered delays due to multiple defence lawyers who must cross- examine witnesses which have slowed down proceedings and the case has also suffered several adjournments at the instance of Counsel.
“His Lordship had earlier advised the Defence team to work together by reducing the 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, as only recently, an application for ‘Trial within Trial’ was made which the court granted. This obviously will further delay the case”.
On the issue of bail, the Judiciary Spokesman, noted that applications were determined on merit and based on the materials furnished, some of the defendants were admitted to bail.
“If anyone was dissatisfied, there is mechanism for review of same by appealing to the higher Courts. It is sad and worrisome that Sahara Reporters 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.
“As a revered institution, we advise Reporters to do more of investigative Journalism than hearsay in the interest of Justice and the Public”, the Statement added.
