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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Bayelsa State denies claims that former First Lady Patience Jonathan unlawfully detained 15 domestic staff members at the Okaka Custodial Center.
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The NCoS spokesperson, Isari Gbosi Tombara, dismisses the allegations as “unfounded” and designed to tarnish the correctional service’s reputation.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Bayelsa State has strongly denied allegations that former First Lady Patience Jonathan unlawfully detained 15 of her former domestic staff at the Okaka Custodial Centre.
The claims, which surfaced in some reports, alleged that the workers were detained since 2019 for stealing valuable items worth N200 million and faced 18 counts, including conspiracy to commit murder and burglary.
NCoS spokesperson Isari Gbosi Tombara dismissed these allegations as “unfounded” and designed to tarnish the correctional service’s reputation.
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Tombara clarified that there was no closed-door meeting between Patience Jonathan and top NCoS officials in Bayelsa, contrary to some reports.
The detainees have been treated humanely and their fundamental rights respected while in custody, according to Tombara.
“They were in court on the 10th and 11th of March 2025, and the last time they attended court was Thursday, 3rd April 2025, where the matter was adjourned to 17th April 2025,” he stated.
Tombara emphasised that no one can be admitted into any custodial centre in Nigeria without a valid remand warrant from a competent court.
The detainees were all accompanied by valid court orders when they were remanded to custody, making their detention entirely legal.
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“The command noted that no one can be admitted into any custodial centre in Nigeria without a valid warrant from a competent court of jurisdiction; on this note, they are not in our custody illegally,” the statement reads.
The Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre remains one of the most peaceful custodial facilities in the country, with no chaos existing in the facility. The NCoS urges the public to disregard the misleading reports.
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