By Uche Onyeali
Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has denied allegations that former First rst lady Patience Jonathan illegally detained 15 of her former domestic staff at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State.
There were reports that the former first lady’s workers ha been in illegal detention since 2019 over alleged theft of seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions valued at N200 million.
They were also reportedly slammed with 18 counts bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony, and burglary.
However, reacting to the report in a statement, yesterday, spokesperson to the correctional centre, Isari Gbosi Tombara said the claims were “unfounded and being spread to tarnish the good image of the service”.
Tombara said there were also claims of a closed door meeting between the former first lady and top correctional officers of the NCoS in Bayelsa.
He said there was no such meeting between the former first lady and top officials of the command as speculated.
The spokesperson added that the inmates “have also been treated fairly and humanely while in custody” and their fundamental human rights have been respected.
“They were in court on March 10 and 11, 2025, and the last time they attended court was Thursday, April 3, 2025 where the matter was adjourned to April 17, 2025.
“The command noted that no one can be admitted into any custodial centre in Nigeria without a valid warrant from a competent court of jurisdiction; on this note, they are not in our custody illegally as they were all accompanied with valid remand warrants from the court.
“The Nigerian Correctional service further informed that the command is peaceful and that the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Okaka, remains one of the most peaceful custodial facilities in the country.
“Hence, they should discountenance the said reports as they are intended to cause chaos where none exists”, the statement added.
The command assured that the service under the leadership of Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, acting controller general of corrections, is poised to ensure the safe and humane custody of all legally interned persons as well as their effective reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration into the larger society.
