On Thursday, the court trial of 15 detained domestic workers of former first lady Patience Jonathan was adjourned again until May 23. They have been in detention since 2019.

FIJ learnt that Justice Matilda Ayemieye, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, presided over the case and adjourned it until May for the defence to open their case in the trial-within-trial.

Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice (Tech4Justice), the firm providing free legal assistance to nine of the detainees, confirmed this to FIJ on Saturday.

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“The court initially considered transferring the matter to another court because of the social media pressure,” Tech4Justice disclosed.

“After pleas from the prosecution and the defence lawyers, the honourable judge agreed to continue with the matter.

“The court and the parties agreed that the matter would be granted expedited hearing so that the case can be concluded on time.”

One of the legal associates of Tech4Justice noted that transferring the matter to another judge implied that the trial would have “to start all over again, afresh”.

“Thus the plea from the defence and the prosecution.”

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The domestic workers — Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Sunday Reginald, Vivian Golden, Emeka Benson, Boma Oba, Salomi Wareboka and Sahabi Lima — have been detained in Okaka Correctional Centre, Bayelsa, since 2019.

A charge sheet previously obtained from Tech4Justice shows that there are 18 counts against them, ranging from conspiracy to commit murder and armed robbery to burglary.

Some of the counts accuse them of stealing gold bangles, jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs and six Samsung flat-screen televisions valued at N200 million, among others.