EFCC seeks permanent forfeiture of Patience’s Jonathan’s $5.7m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the final forfeiture of $5.7million belonging to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.Justice Mojisola Olatoregun on April 26 made an interim order forfeiting the money to the Federal Government.EFCC said Mrs. Jonathan allegedly paid $6,791,599.64 (about N2.1billion) into her account between February 8, 2013 and January 30, 2015.It said the money, which she allegedly directed her aides to pay into her account while her husband was president, was suspected to be proceed of unlawful activities.

The commission said Mrs. Jonathan had earlier spent $949,282.98 (about N296,141,911) from the money.It said the ex- first lady also withdrew another $100,000 from the account in April, leaving a balance of $5,731,173.55.It prayed the court to order the temporary forfeiture of the remaining sum to prevent her from further dissipating it.Justice Olatoregun directed the EFCC to publish the interim order in a newspaper to enable any interested party to appear before the court within 14 days to “show cause” as to why a final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the federal government.Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), on Monday urged the court not to order a final forfeiture of the money.Hs said his client was not given sufficient time to “show cause” why the money should not be forfeited to the federal government.Sourcr : The Nation