In an emotional laden voice, a 90 years old woman has appealed to Nigeria ex president and his family, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to set free her daughter who has been in prison for six years without court judgement over the missing jewelries of the wife of the ex president and the former Nigeria first lady, Patience Jonathan who arrested 15 of her domestic workers in 2019 including the 90 years old woman’s daughter, Deborah Erema after the house helps could not give account on the whereabouts of the former First Lady’s jewelry, which, the ex president wife apparently filed a bogus and outrageous charges of attempted murder, armed robery that attracts life imprisonment, death sentence against the 15 house helps who have been remanded and left to languish in prison since more than half a decade.
Deborah Erema, a former aide to the ex-First Lady, is accused alongside others of stealing jewelleries and household items reportedly worth over ₦200 million.
It was gathered that the case has faced over 40 court adjournments since 2019, leaving the accused in prolonged detention without judgement.
The elderly woman in an exclusive video recorded message made available by SaharaReporters on Friday, says, if she dies, the detained daughter is the only one she has to bury her and perform the necessary funeral rites after her demise inline with Africa cultures and traditions.
The elderly woman who broke down in tears as she recounted her suffering since her daughter’s incarceration, begged the former Nigeria first lady to free her daughter whom she said has been the one taking care of her before she was incarcerated.
“Nobody gives me food. It’s only her. I don’t have anybody else. I’m tired of begging to eat.
“I don beg tire. I don tire,” the woman cried. “Make una leave my pikin for me.” she said.
“Please release my daughter. She used to feed me. If I die now, who will bury me? She’s all I have”, the 90 years old woman stated.
Her daughter alongside other accused house helps were charged before the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa in 2019, but the case has dragged on for years.
Punch Newspaper reported that the proceedings over the case have been adjourned over 40 times.
The list of other accused persons includes Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Emmanuel Aginwa, Precious Kingsley, Tamunosiki Achese, Sunday Reginald, Vivian Golden, Emeka Benson, Boma Oba, Salomi Wareboka, and Sahabi Lima.
The 18-count charge against the accused involves allegations including conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, and theft.
Nigeria Prosecutors alleged the house helps stole items valued at approximately ₦200 million which includes; seven gold bangles, various other pieces of jewellery, multiple Samsung flat-screen televisions, five air conditioners, and two sets of upholstered chairs.