Pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA(HURIWA) has urged the nation’s former first lady and wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan Mrs. Patience Jonathan to be magnanimous and to show the rich Christian virtue of forgiveness which the lenten season exemplifies by withdrawing the criminal case against over a dozen of her domestic workers who have languished in prison for six whole years.
HURIWA said in as much as the former first lady as a human being would not be happy to lose valuable assets in a theft case, the Rights group said the fact that the suspects being tried in relation to the theft case have spent several years confined in a prison facility, it would be inhumane and uncharitable to continue to detain them especially when the matter isn’t moving as fast as it should given the maxim that says ‘justice delayed is justice denied’.
HURIWA also reminded the former first lady that the detained erstwhile domestic workers had severally pleaded for freedom and denied their involvement in the heist and for six years the law enforcement agency has not found any incriminating evidence against them to the knowledge of members of the public.
HURIWA noted that the media had reported that 15 aides of the former first lady were held in the Okaka Custodial Centre, Bayelsa State, for allegedly stealing jewellery from Mrs Jonathan.
Those affected are 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.
The defendants were brought before the High Court of Bayelsa in 2019.
They were accused of stealing seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions valued at N200m.
HURIWA stated that it is simply begging the former first lady and her husband the former president of Nigeria and a lover of social justice to tamper justice with mercy by ordering that the detained erstwhile domestic workers are set free without further delay.
HURIWA stated thus: “As a Christian mother who is observing the lenten season, we know that Mrs. Patience Jonathan has immersed herself in the spiritual exercises connected to the Christian fasting period. The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God) and giving, or charity.
Prayer during Lent focuses on the need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.
Fasting, or giving something up, is a very common practice during Lent. The idea is that giving up something that’s a regular part of life, like eating dessert or scrolling social media, can be a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. That time can also be replaced with more time connecting with God.
Giving money or doing something good for others is a way to respond to God’s grace, generosity and love. For example, some people spend time volunteering or donate money they would normally use to buy something, like their morning coffee. We are hereby appealing for Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw the criminal complaints against her former domestic staff so as to secure their freedom.”
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). April 7th 2025.
