Tears OF The Forgotten: Relatives OF Workers Linked To Patience Jonathan Beg For Justice And Swift Court Action

The suspects, who have been in custody since 2019, have faced numerous delays in their trial due to repeated adjournments. Among 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.

In interviews with Punch, two family members called for the release of their loved ones, asserting that their continued detention was unjustified.

Erema’s daughter, Esther Reginald, one of the relatives, pleaded for the release of her mother and brother. The 17-year-old shared that she had been growing up without her mother, who had been incarcerated since she was 11. She lamented the hardship her family had endured, saying, “I am not happy that my mother has been in prison. I have been growing up without her, and there are things I needed her for, but she wasn’t there. I am sad. Now, I am 17. She gave birth to three of us; one is dead, and the other is also in prison with her. He was imprisoned alongside my mother for the same issue. I’ve been living by God’s grace.”

Esther also expressed the emotional and financial strain of the situation, saying, “My mother used to be the breadwinner of our family. I couldn’t attend a good school. I am trying to sit for the UTME, but there’s no way for me to prepare. The money I should use for lessons, I end up sending it to my mother in prison. I’m being denied privileges because of my mother’s situation. I send most of what I have to feed her.”

Another relative, Miebaka Golden, explained that numerous pleas had been made to Patience Jonathan to secure the detainees’ release, but these had been unsuccessful. She said, “I and the families of other detainees have met her several times to plead with her. We even went to one of the kings in Okrika, who promised to speak to her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan. We made several moves, but she refused to listen. She (Patience Jonathan) is more powerful and influential than us. Her husband is a former President. There’s nothing we can do except keep believing in God.”

Miebaka further described the devastating impact the detention has had on their family, saying, “My sister’s husband left her because of this case. Our parents are dead. We’ve been struggling on our own. When she got the job, we were happy, but now her son is under my care, and it has been very difficult for us for the past six years.”