Editorial: As Patience Jonathan runs amok!

The shocking revelation that Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, has kept 15 domestic workers locked up in Bayelsa’s Okaka Correctional Centre since 2019 over a missing jewelry is a disgraceful abuse of power and a blatant violation of Nigeria’s justice system.

This is not just an injustice; it is a cruel, dehumanizing act that exposes the rot in a system where the powerful trample on the rights of the voiceless with impunity.

These workers—Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, and 12 others—have been languishing in prison for six years without trial, accused of armed robbery, attempted murder, and other outrageous charges.

Yet, there is no evidence against them. Their only crime? Working for a woman who, instead of seeking justice through proper legal channels, chose to weaponize her influence to punish them indefinitely.

Nigeria’s Constitution is clear: Section 36(5) guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and Section 35 protects the right to personal liberty.

By locking up these workers without trial, Patience Jonathan and the complicit authorities have spat on the rule of law.

Where is the humanity? Where is the decency? How can a former First Lady, who once held a position of public trust, exhibit such callous disregard for human lives?

This case is a glaring example of how Nigeria’s elite manipulate the system to oppress the poor.

If these workers were connected, wealthy, or politically linked, they would have been freed within hours.

But because they are ordinary Nigerians, their suffering is ignored. The silence from civil society, human rights groups, and even the government is deafening. Where are the protests? Where are the lawyers fighting for their release?

We call on the Nigerian government, the National Human Rights Commission, and international bodies to intervene immediately.

These workers must be released or given a fair trial without further delay. Patience Jonathan must be held accountable for this abuse.

The judiciary must wake up and stop being a tool for the powerful.

To the detained workers: your suffering is seen. To the system that failed them: shame on you. And to Patience Jonathan—history will remember this cruelty.

No jewelry is worth destroying 15 lives.

Diaspora Digital Media will continue canvassing for the safe release of the 15 lives unjustly detained.

Patience Goodluck Ebele Jonathan must face the wrath of the law!

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