Mathew Amaechi
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has attributed the prolonged delay in the trial of 13 domestic staff members linked to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan to a rare legal impasse that has left Bayelsa State’s court system grappling with complex procedural challenges.
Since 2019, the 13 domestic staff members have been incarcerated at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa. Charged in a case that carries the weight of a potential capital punishment sentence, the trial has repeatedly hit roadblocks due to the stipulation that every defendant’s lawyer must be present in court.
According to Somina Johnbull, Chairman of the Yenagoa NBA branch, the absence of even one counsel derails the process—a condition that has been notoriously difficult to satisfy, given the defendants’ varied legal representations.
In a briefing held during the buildup to the 2025 Law Week—a gathering themed “Setting the Pace: Law, Leadership and Transformational Development”—Johnbull offered a detailed explanation of the ongoing stalemate. “We have a situation where 13 defendants, each represented by different counsels, are involved,” he explained. “Any day that even one of the lawyers does not appear, the case cannot proceed.” Johnbull noted that, despite the availability of modern facilities, including an e-recording system, it is unusual for such a case to extend beyond three or four years in Bayelsa, raising serious concerns about the management and coordination of judicial proceedings.
Adding another twist to the case’s complications, Johnbull revealed that during the last scheduled hearing in April, the court itself offered to recuse from the matter due to what it described as the “sensationalisation” of the case.
However, the defendants expressed their resolute confidence in the judiciary, appealing for the trial to continue unabated. “The court even volunteered to recuse itself because of the hype surrounding the case, but the defendants felt strongly about proceeding,” Johnbull said.
The delay in this high-stakes trial comes at a time when the legal community is gathering for the 2025 Law Week. The event, which aims to discuss transformative leadership and legal developments, is set to feature former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as its keynote speaker on May 16. Amid these discussions, the NBA’s investigation into the trial’s setbacks shines a spotlight on systemic issues that could affect not only this case but the broader legal framework within the region.
As stakeholders await the next development in the case, the NBA’s detailed briefing underscores a critical moment for Bayelsa’s judicial system—a moment where traditional courtroom practices meet modern challenges, and the quest for justice is intertwined with procedural rigour.
