EXCLUSIVE: Bayelsa Chief Judge Ayemieye Accused Of Endless Delays In Trial Of Patience Jonathan’s 14 Domestic Workers Held In Prison Since 2019

 Another source, visibly angered by the development, said the repeated delays were no longer being seen as coincidental.

Fresh allegations have surfaced against the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, over an alleged scheme to deliberately stall the trial of 14 domestic workers of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who have remained in detention since 2019.

Multiple court officials who spoke to SaharaReporters on Tuesday described a troubling pattern of repeated adjournments, absenteeism of the presiding judge, and what they believe to be a calculated attempt to drag the case indefinitely, potentially beyond Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

At the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa, where the matter is being heard, frustration among court staff, observers, and even legal practitioners reached a boiling point after proceedings were again stalled due to the judge’s absence.

“It is only the first defendant, Golden Vivian, that has so far finished with her defence,” one of the officials disclosed.The case did not proceed again today. The judge did not show up. This is the third time in 2026 alone that this case would be delayed for reasons like this. It is becoming a pattern, and it is very disturbing.”

Another source, visibly angered by the development, said the repeated delays were no longer being seen as coincidental.

“We are hearing that there is a plan at the top to delay this case until after the 2027 elections. These inmates are exhausted. Some of them were crying in court today when they realised the matter would not be heard again,” the source said.

“They have been in prison since 2019. That is over six years without conclusion of trial. Justice delayed in this case is clearly justice denied.”

Further compounding concerns, court insiders revealed that no new date had been fixed for the continuation of the defence, effectively leaving the case in limbo.

“As we speak, there is no adjournment date. It is like an indefinite postponement. We don’t know when the court will sit again on this matter,” another official said.

“The case is still at the defence stage, and only one defendant has concluded. The rest are being denied the opportunity to even present their own side fully. It appears the system is deliberately frustrating them.”