A shocking revelation has emerged involving Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who is accused of orchestrating the detention of 15 domestic workers, including a newlywed woman, since 2019.

The allegations center on claims of missing jewellery, a case that has yet to be substantiated in court.

Among those detained is Tamunosiki Achese, a former Personal Assistant to Mrs. Jonathan, who had already left her position in 2018—before the supposed theft occurred in 2019.

This explosive story, brought to light by SaharaReporters, has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about abuse of power in Nigeria.

Tamunosiki Achese’s story is particularly heart-wrenching.

Having served as Patience Jonathan’s Personal Assistant, she stepped away from her role shortly after her marriage in 2018.

Sources close to the situation revealed that Achese had relocated to Okrika and was no longer working for the former First Lady when the jewellery allegedly went missing.

Despite this, she was arrested and has been held in a Bayelsa State prison for over five years.

Insiders claim that Patience Jonathan vowed to use her influence to ensure Achese remained behind bars, describing the arrest as a vindictive act fueled by the former First Lady’s displeasure over Achese’s departure following her marriage.

The broader case involves 14 other individuals, including Deborah Erema, whose 90-year-old mother recently made a desperate plea for her release in a viral video.

The elderly woman, frail and visibly malnourished, was seen crying as she begged Patience Jonathan to free her daughter, who has been detained without trial for more than five years. “Nobody go give me food, nah only her dey give me. I don’t have anybody. I just go beg beg,” she wept, highlighting the devastating impact of the prolonged detention on her family. The video has struck a chord with many Nigerians, amplifying calls for justice and accountability.

The list of detainees also includes names like John Dashe, Tamunokuro Abaku, Sahabi Lima, Emmanuel Aginwa, Precious Kingsley, Salomi Wareboka, Sunday Reginald, Boma Oba, Vivian Golden, and Emeka Benson.

According to sources, some of these individuals were targeted simply for refusing to participate in a scheme to falsely implicate others. For instance, Vincent Olabiyi and Ebuka Cosmos were reportedly arrested after declining to act as false witnesses, a decision that has cost them nearly six years in prison.

This disturbing detail suggests a pattern of coercion and manipulation, further fueling public anger over the case.

Patience Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s First Lady from 2010 to 2015 during her husband Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, is no stranger to controversy.

Historical reports, including a 2006 Wikileaks disclosure, revealed that she had been indicted by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for money laundering. Although no legal action was taken at the time, the allegations painted a picture of a figure entangled in financial misconduct.

This latest scandal adds another layer to her contentious legacy, with many Nigerians now viewing her actions as a blatant abuse of power.

The public reaction on social media platforms like X has been one of shock and condemnation.

Users have expressed disbelief at the prolonged detention of the domestic staff, with some pointing to the irony of jewellery—something Patience Jonathan may have long forgotten—being the cause of such suffering.

Others have criticized her husband, Goodluck Jonathan, for not intervening, questioning whether his silence implies complicity.

The case has also reignited discussions about systemic issues in Nigeria, including the misuse of influence by powerful figures and the lack of accountability for those in high positions.

This unfolding scandal has not only exposed the plight of the detained workers but also highlighted broader societal issues in Nigeria.

The story of Tamunosiki Achese and her fellow detainees serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and the urgent need for justice reform.

As the public continues to demand answers, the pressure mounts on authorities to address these allegations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

For now, the detained staff and their families remain in limbo, hoping for a resolution to a nightmare that has lasted far too long.