The Nigerian Bar Association has delayed the Nigerian Bar Association for a long time before the trial, the trial of 13 domestic staff members of the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who has been held at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Jenagaya since 2019.
At a press conference Monday, May 5, ahead of the 2025 Law Week, Chairman Somina Johnbull, the NBA’s Yenagoa branch, raised questions about stagnating proceedings. He explained that the case involved a charge of carrying a death penalty, which required the presence of all defense attorneys before the trial was held. However, this situation has never been fully satisfied.
Johnbull noted that each of the 13 defendants was represented by a separate attorney, making coordination difficult. He expressed concern over the prolonged delays, noting that this is unusual in Bielsa given the modern facilities available to the judiciary, including electronic recording systems.
He further revealed that in April the presiding judge had proposed suicide due to public concern and controversy surrounding the case. However, the defendants urged the court to move forward, citing their confidence in the judiciary.
“We investigated the case and spoke to all the attorneys in question. The error was not in the court. At every scheduled hearing, the court was ready. The problem is that since it was a capital crime, all defense attorneys had to be present and never happened,” John Bull said.
He stressed that due to technological advances in the judicial system, Valyelsa’s case rarely lasts for three to four years. He added: “We found this to be strange, which is why we conducted internal investigations. The delays are mainly due to procedural requirements, not judicial inefficiency.”
The 2025 Legal Week is themed “Set the pace: Law, Leadership and Transformative Development” and will be held on Friday, May 16 by former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
