The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Bayelsa State Command, has firmly rejected allegations that 15 former domestic staff of ex-First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, are being unlawfully detained at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre in Yenagoa.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the custodial centre, Isari Gbosi Tombara, dismissed the reports as baseless and malicious, asserting that they were crafted to discredit the integrity of the Correctional Service.
The disputed reports had alleged that the domestic staff were secretly detained since 2019 at the behest of the former First Lady, following accusations of theft involving gold jewellery, electronics, and household items reportedly valued at N200 million.
The same reports further claimed that a clandestine meeting had taken place between Dame Patience Jonathan and senior officials of the Bayelsa Correctional Service.
Tombara clarified that the 15 individuals in question are facing 18 criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, burglary, and other felonies. He emphasized that their detention is lawful and was sanctioned by the High Court 1 of Bayelsa State.
Providing further details, Tombara noted that the accused persons had most recently appeared in court on March 10th and 11th, 2025, and again on April 3rd, 2025, when the case was adjourned to April 17th, 2025.
He reiterated that the inmates’ fundamental rights are being upheld, and they are receiving humane treatment while in custody.
He also stated that the Okaka Custodial Centre operates strictly within the bounds of the law and does not detain any individual without a valid court-issued remand warrant. He described the facility as one of the most orderly in the country and urged the public to disregard the circulating falsehoods.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice and human rights, the Bayelsa NCoS assured the public of its continued dedication to the safe and dignified custody and rehabilitation of inmates, in alignment with the policies of the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche.
