The Nigeria Correctional Services (NCO), the Bayelsa State Command, refuted the report, saying that former First Lady Patience Jonathan was involved in the illegal detention of 15 former family staff at the Okaka Trustee Center. The order describes the claim as a mistake and attempts to undermine the image of the service.
The allegations recently surfaced, which said that domestic workers have been in custody since 2019, allegedly stole including seven gold bracelets, jewelry, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of interior chairs and two sets of decorative chairs and six sets of Samsung flat-screen TVs, reportedly at 200 million n200 million n200 million n200 million. They are also said to face 18 counts related to conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit felony crimes and burglary.
In a statement issued on Sunday, April 6, the custodial center spokesman Isari Gbosi Tombara dismissed the allegations, saying it was “unfounded and scattered to undermine the good image of the service”. Tombara also spoke about rumors of a closed-door meeting between the former First Lady and the NCO’s senior officials in Bayelsa and asserted that there was no such meeting.
“Prisoners were also treated fairly and humanely during their detention,” the statement said. “Their basic human rights were respected.”
Tombara confirmed that the detainees appeared in court from March 10 to 11 and again on April 3, 2025, with the case adjourned until April 17, 2025. He said: “No one can be included in any detention centre in Nigeria without a valid arrest warrant from the court of jurisdiction. In the principal notes, they are not illegally detained because they are all accompanied by a valid detention from the court.”
The headquarters also assured the public that the Gangka Medium Security Storage Centre remains one of the most peaceful storage centres in the country. “So they should discount the above reports because they intend to create confusion where they do not exist.”
The NCO further reiterated its commitment under the leadership of Acting Director of Corrections Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche to maintain safe and humane custody of all legal detainees and ensure their effective reform, rehabilitation, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
