A 90-year-old woman has called on former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, to intervene and help secure the release of her daughter, Deborah Erema, who has been detained for over five years.
In a video released by SaharaTV on Friday, the elderly mother, visibly frail and struggling, expressed her agony at being without support, relying solely on her daughter for care. She made a desperate appeal for Erema’s release, pleading, “Make she go find food for me. Nah only her I get.”
Deborah Erema, a former aide to Patience Jonathan, has been in custody as part of a case involving the alleged theft of valuables, including jewelry worth N200 million. The case, which includes accusations of armed robbery, burglary, and conspiracy to commit murder, has been in court since 2019.
Despite the serious charges, the case has seen numerous delays, with the court adjourning more than 40 times, causing frustration and distress for the accused and their families. The detained individuals, including Erema, are alleged to have stolen several items, including seven gold bangles, air conditioners, and flat-screen televisions, all purportedly belonging to Patience Jonathan.
The prolonged legal battle has left Erema’s family in turmoil, especially her elderly mother, who now finds herself begging for help after years of dependency on her daughter’s support. In her heartfelt appeal, the elderly woman emphasized her dire situation, saying that without her daughter, she had no one to turn to.
“I don’t have anybody,” she lamented. “I just go beg beg. I am now a beggar.” She voiced concerns about her future, highlighting the emotional burden of knowing her daughter has been detained for so long. She continued, “If I die now, who go bury me?” showing the depth of her desperation and the emotional toll the situation has had on her.
The case of Deborah Erema and her co-defendants has become a source of public attention, as many question the fairness and speed of the judicial process.
Erema’s family is particularly vocal about the prolonged detention without a resolution in sight. As her mother’s emotional plea circulates on social media, it has sparked public sympathy and calls for a resolution to the case, urging the authorities to prioritize justice.
While the legal proceedings continue, the heart-wrenching plea of a mother for her daughter’s freedom has brought the issue to the forefront of public consciousness.
The case highlights broader concerns about the delays in Nigeria’s legal system and the impact such prolonged detentions have on the lives of those involved.
