EFCC asks court to grand forfeiture of $8.43m and N9.2bn belonging to Dame Patience Jonathan

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have asked a federal high court to grant an application seeking for the final forfeiture of the sums of $8.43m and N9.2bn ($25.32m) held in the bank accounts of the wife of former president Dame Patience Jonathan.

Yesterday, the commission, through its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to grant its prayers for the final forfeiture of the sums of money, supporting its application with an affidavit, two exhibits and a written address. It mentioned several companies known as Globus Integrated Service, Finchley Top Homes, AM-PM Global Network, Pagmat Oil and Gas and Magel Resort as the concerns through which the money was siphoned.

However, Dame Jonathan's counsel Ifedayo Adedipe, stated that the EFCC had not invited her for questioning regarding the alleged money found in her account. He told the court that he had filed a motion and a written address, which he relied on all for the processes filed, submitting that the EFCC had not charged the first respondent to court for trial.

Mr Adedipe, who further stated that the applicant had not shown any reason that could warrant the final forfeiture of the money, therefore, urged the court to refuse the application. His co-counsel Oyewole Gboyega, told the court that he had a motion on notice challenging the action and asking for a dismissal or a striking out of the suit.

He argued that the source of the funds was lawful and legitimate, adding that  all that the applicant has is mere allegations and suspicious. Mr Gboyega therefore, urged the court to refuse the application for the final forfeiture of the money.

Counsel to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents, Chief Mike Ozekhome also told the court that he had filed various applications, adding that the motion by the prosecuting counsel was an abuse of court processes. He further stated that the matter was already pending before Justice Binta Nyako of the federal high court in Abuja.

Chief Ozekhome said: “I wonder why the EFCC rushed down to Lagos to file the same matter. This is an abuse of court processes.”

Ige Asemudara, counsel to the seventh respondent told the court he had a motion and prayed the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order of April 20 and to strike out the suit. He also refuted the claim that the seventh respondent had been at large.

After listening to all parties, Justice Olatoregun adjourned till November 13 for further hearing. Justice Olatoregun had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of $8.435,789.84m and N9.185,327,362bn linked to the former first lady.

The monies were said to be kept in some banks including Skye Bank Plc, Diamond Bank, Stanbic-IBTC and First Bank. On April 19, the court had made an order of interim forfeiture of the monies, following an ex-parte application filed by the EFCC against Dame Jonathan and some companies.