Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore isn’t one to shy away from controversy—and this time, his focus is on former First Lady Patience Jonathan. In a scathing statement posted to his verified X account, the former AAC presidential candidate questioned how the ex-First Lady acquired luxury jewelry reportedly worth ₦750 million.
But that’s only half the story.
Behind the high-value jewelry is a deeper, more troubling issue—15 domestic workers have been languishing behind bars since 2019, accused of stealing the jewelry but yet to be convicted.
According to SaharaReporters, the workers have been held in Bayelsa State’s Okaka Correctional Centre for nearly six years. Their alleged crime? Being linked to a case of missing jewelry at one of Mrs. Jonathan’s properties in Otuoke. Shockingly, many of them weren’t even working in that apartment when the alleged burglary occurred.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, no formal conviction has been made. Instead, their legal proceedings have faced repeated delays—allegedly at the behest of the influential former First Lady.
For Sowore, this is not just a legal issue—it’s a moral one. He believes that rather than prosecuting low-income workers who may be innocent, the real question should be about the source of the extravagant wealth used to buy the jewelry in the first place.
“Nigeria seems to be the only country where those who have looted public funds have the audacity to lock up others for allegedly taking a small piece of what they stole,” Sowore wrote. “We must fight to free these people—Patience Jonathan should be the one answering questions in court.”
The Nigerian Constitution is clear: Section 36(5) presumes all accused persons innocent until proven guilty, while Section 35 guarantees the right to personal liberty and a timely trial.
In this case, both principles appear to have been tossed aside. Legal analysts and human rights groups say the prolonged detention of the workers is a textbook example of abuse of power.
The consequences of the ongoing detention are far-reaching. One of the workers, according to SaharaReporters, was reportedly blocked from attending the burial of their own daughter. Another, a young Nigerian, missed the opportunity to write the WAEC exam, further dimming their future.
Patience Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s First Lady between 2010 and 2015, has remained silent amid growing calls for transparency and justice in the case. Her tenure in the public spotlight is now overshadowed by allegations of human rights abuse and judicial manipulation.
Meanwhile, voices like Sowore’s are growing louder. “This isn’t just about jewelry—it’s about a system that protects the powerful at the expense of the powerless,” he said.
And as more details come to light, one thing is clear: the quest for justice in Nigeria is far from over.