EFCC: Jonathan’s wife’s $15.5m proceeds of crime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a suit by former First Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

In its counter-affidavit, the commission said the $15.5 million, which Mrs Jonathan was claiming, is “a proceed of crime”.

Mrs. Jonathan, in the civil suit before Justice Mohammed Idris, claimed that EFCC froze four of her accounts with Skye Bank in the name of four companies.

The accounts, she said, had $15,591,700 (about N5 billion) belonging to her.But the companies, on September 15, pleaded guilty, and were convicted for laundering the money when they were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

The judge, however, refused to order the forfeiture of the money  to the Federal Government untill the conclusion of others’ trial.

Mrs. Jonathan, in the suit before Justice Idris, is seeking an order to de-freeze the accounts and release her money.

Yesterday, her lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe, told Justice Idris that his client amended her processes.He said he also filed a motion to regularise them, which the court granted.

 

EFCC’s lawyer Oyedepo Rotimi said he would amend his response to the suit.

Women again stormed the court yesterday in solidarity with Mrs Jonathan. Some struggled to enter the packed courtroom, which became congested.

The Nation