Court Accepts Contested Confessions In Jonathan Aides’ Jewellery Heist Case

According to Ireporter Online, a Bayelsa State High Court has admitted into evidence the confessional statements of eight domestic workers of former First Lady Patience Jonathan in the ongoing trial over the alleged theft of jewellery valued at hundreds of millions of naira. The confessions were previously contested on the grounds that they were extracted under duress.

The court conducted a “trial within a trial” to determine the voluntariness of the statements before ruling in favour of their inclusion. Sources familiar with Friday’s proceedings said the prosecution, after six years of delays, finally concluded its case, allowing the defence to prepare their evidence.

Despite the closure of the prosecution, witnesses expressed surprise that the court admitted statements allegedly obtained through police brutality while the defendants were in custody. The sources claimed some confessions were written by police officers in 2019 and signed under pressure.

The defendants are part of a larger group of 15 domestic staff accused of stealing jewellery from Mrs Jonathan’s residence in 2019. The number of accused was reduced following the death of Sahabi Liman in 2025. Those currently on trial include Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Emmanuel Aginwa, Erema Deborah, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Salomi Wareboka, Sunday Reginald, Boma Oba, Vivian Golden, and Emeka Benson.

The trial has been repeatedly delayed over the years, with many court sessions adjourned or skipped. Several defendants previously testified that they were abducted, tortured, and denied access to legal counsel while in detention. In one instance, Vivian Golden stated she was flogged after refusing to sign a confession. Other defendants identified police officers, including an officer known as “O.C. Chris” and Chief Security Officer Colin Otutu, as responsible for the alleged mistreatment.

No police officers have been investigated or charged in connection with the alleged torture. Mrs Jonathan has not been summoned or questioned regarding the case. Defence sources have accused her legal team, led by Ige Asemudara and Samuel Chinedu Maduba, of using procedural motions to prolong the proceedings.

The prolonged prosecution has had a tragic consequence. Sahabi Liman, one of the original 15 accused, died in September 2025 after a prolonged illness. Liman had been granted bail three years earlier due to declining health while in custody at Okaka Correctional Centre, Yenagoa, but his condition continued to deteriorate until his death in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.