EFCC rejects Dame Jonathan's offer of an out-of-court settlement saying she must plea bargain properly

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have rejected an out-of-court settlement put forward by former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan in which she offered a plea bargain and the return of some cash.

Over the last two years, Dame Jonathan has been involved in a bitter spat with the EFCC over money she is alleged to have acquired while her husband Dr Goodluck Jonathan was president. Looking to resolve the matter out of court, Dame Jonathan offered a settlement over the strange payment of $11,489,069.03 into her domiciliary accounts, which the EFCC is trying to recover.

However, the EFCC rejected her offer and has asked Dame Jonathan to come before a court by entering into a plea bargain in line with the laws of the land. EFCC officials said the agency could only accept a plea bargain in which the court is carried along.

So far, EFCC detectives have not been able to trace about 29 of the 31 individuals and companies which made the controversial deposits, which has fuelled speculation that some of the depositors are fictitious. Following investigations, some of the shops where the former first lady visited are said to have offered to give details of how much was spent and the items bought.

One EFCC source said: “We have considered the January 30, 2018 letter by Dame (Mrs) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan. We are of the opinion that her offer of out-of-court settlement is strange and confounding as if there is a dispute between her and the EFCC.

“We are certainly rejecting the offer from the ex-first lady because the EFCC does not engage in such deals. We prefer the ex-first lady approaching a court for a plea bargain in line with the relevant laws if she is ready to settle all issues, so the terms of the plea bargain will be open to all parties before the court."

EFCC officials are calling on Dame Jonathan to emulate other high profile suspects who went to the court to plea bargain, stating that they would not oppose such a plea. The EFCC source said the agency would soon make its position known to Dame Jonathan's counsel.