Jonathan’s in-laws arrested over theft of N300m jewelry, other valuables in ex-president’s home

Operatives of the ‘Operation Puff Adder’ of the Bayelsa State police command have arrested four in-laws of the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, over alleged theft of jewelry and other valuables worth over N300 million.

The four persons were arrested for their involvement in the illegal entry into Jonathan’s home in Otuoke community, Ogbia local government area, to cart away jewelry, custom-made walking sticks and other valuables worth over N300 million.

It was alleged by another source that a substantial huge sum of money was also stolen by the same people who were close to the former president. The four persons include two brothers to the former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and two ladies suspected to be members of the family.

Sources gave the names of the two brothers to Patience Jonathan as Mowsor Princewill Oba and Boma Rasheed Oba, while the other two female suspects are yet to be identified.

The Guardian gathered that the one of the arrested suspects, a management employee of Aridolf Resort, Hotel and Spa, owned by the former first lady, allegedly duplicated the keys to Jonathan’s rooms where the valuables were kept.

The four of them had been looting the valuables gradually for some time before they were caught by some domestic staff of the former president who after confirming the theft, contacted men of the Bayelsa police command to effect their arrest and recover the looted valuables.

A source close to the Jonathans said Patience was shocked and disgusted by the grand theft and wondered why the arrested management employee of her hotel did not steal her money instead of masterminding the looting of her husband’s valuables.

Police sources who do not want their names in print disclosed that the suspects are showing signs of remorse and regretting their actions.

According to one, “they are already making useful confession to the police and some monies from the proceeds are being recovered. These are relatives that were entrusted with the home but betrayed the trust and looted from the house.”

Asinim Butswat, spokesman of the Bayelsa state command, could not be reached when contacted as repeated calls to his mobile phone were not answered, but a high-ranking officer of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ confirmed the arrest.