Q 90-year-old woman has made a tearful public appeal to Nigeria’s former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, asking for help in securing the release of her daughter, Deborah Erema. Erema, who once worked as an aide to Mrs. Jonathan, has reportedly been held in custody for over five years in connection with a high-profile theft case.
In a video obtained by SaharaTV, the elderly woman appeared visibly distressed, sitting in what looked like a small, poorly furnished space. Her voice cracked with emotion as she pleaded for mercy.
“Nobody go give me food, nah only her dey give me. I don’t have anybody. I just go beg beg. I am now a beggar. See me as I dey now,” she cried.
“Please release my daughter, make she go find food for me. Nah she dey give me food. I don beg tire. I don tire. Make una leave my pikin for me. If I die now, who go bury me. Nah only her I get,” she continued.
Deborah Erema is one of several individuals facing serious charges linked to the alleged theft of luxury items reportedly belonging to the former First Lady. The items include gold bangles, designer jewellery, expensive furniture, and electronics, with the total value said to be around ₦200 million. These items reportedly went missing from Mrs. Jonathan’s residence in Bayelsa State.
The case, which began in 2019, has been dragging through the courts for years. Court records note that proceedings have been postponed more than 40 times, with no clear end in sight. Those facing trial alongside Erema include Williams Alami, Vincent Olabiyi, Ebuka Cosmos, and over ten others.
They are facing 18 counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, burglary, armed robbery, and theft. Despite the gravity of the charges, delays and adjournments have stalled the trial, keeping the accused in detention for years without conclusion.
