The Nation Newspaper

Tag: DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN

  • EFCC’s allegations against me ‘weighty’, says Patience Jonathan

    Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan Wednesday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos for time to respond to “weighty” allegations against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, on April 26, 2017, ordered the temporary forfeiture of $5.7million and N2, 421,953,522.78 allegedly belonging to Mrs. Jonathan.

    The judge made the order based on an ex-parte application by the EFCC.

    The commission said the N2.4billion was found in an Ecobank Nigeria Ltd account numbered 2022000760 in the name of La Wari Furniture and Baths Ltd.

    Following the temporary forfeiture, Mrs. Jonathan, through her lawyers Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), appealed.

    The Court of Appeal, last January 12, upheld the temporary forfeiture.

    Dissatisfied, Mrs. Jonathan appealed to the Supreme Court.

    The Supreme Court, on March 15, affirmed the Court of Appeal judgment.

    It directed the appellant to return to before Justice Olatoregun to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    The Supreme Court also rejected her prayer to strike down the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, which EFCC relied on in securing the forfeiture.

    Wednesday, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said he received two affidavits from Ozekhome on April 29.

    One of them, he said, is a counter-affidavit to the motion on notice for final forfeiture; the other is a further affidavit.

    He said EFCC filed and served its reply to the SAN’s motions on Tuesday.

    Responding, Ozekhome said: “We got their affidavit at 5.5pm on Tuesday. A plethora of exhibits were attached. Their affidavit is replete with new facts.

    Read Also: EFCC, Patience Jonathan get new date in forfeiture case

    “These are facts that are weighty, so weighty that they require us to respond. We don’t want any of their facts to be deemed admitted because we did not respond.

    “I was served with a bulky document which has things that were not part of the original application.

    “I’m only saying that in the interest of justice, we need to react to those issues raised.”

    Adedipe said he had no objections to Ozekhome’s request for an adjournment.

    Granting the adjournment, Justice Olatoregun said there must be an end to litigation.

    “I hope parties realise that there must be an end to backward and forward filing of applications,” she said.

    In an affidavit in support of the ex-parte originating summons, an EFCC operative, Musbahu Yahaha Abubakar, said Mrs Jonathan opened the Skye Bank account on February 7, 2013.

    “Upon the opening of the account, several huge cash deposits in dollars were made to the account.

    “One Dudafa Waripamo Owei who was the Senior Special Assistant to the former President was one of the frequent depositors in the account.

    “Another frequent cash depositor of funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities into the account is one Festus Iyoha, a steward at the State House, Abuja,” the deponent said.

    The EFCC investigator said Iyoha also made deposits with fictitious names.

    Abubakar said between February 8, 2013 and January 30, 2015, $6,791,599.64 suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities was deposited into the account in cash.

    He said Mrs Jonathan dissipated part of the funds, leaving a balance of $5,731,173.55.

    “If this fund is not forfeited in the interim, the operator of the account, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan, will fully dissipate it,” the investigator said.

    On the N2.4billion, the operative said the commission also traced the money to the Ecobank account following suspicions that it was a proceed of crime.

    He said the “purported” signatory to the account was one Ada Ifegbu, with a telephone number belonging to one Esther Oba.

    The EFCC operative said the N2.4billion “was substantially the naira equivalent of the United States Dollars given to one Chima Nwafor John of Ecobank Nigeria Ltd by one Esther Oba at the Aso Rock Villa.”

    He said it was John who contracted bureau de change operators to convert the money to naira and deposit it to La Wari Furniture and Baths Ltd’s account.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned until May 24.

  • New judge to hear Patience Jonathan’s suit against EFCC

    A new judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has taken over a suit filed by former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan challenging a “no-debit-order” placed on her account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It followed the elevation of Justice Mohammed Idris to the Court of Appeal.

    Justice Aneke yesterday adjourned until May 22.

    The EFCC, Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) and three companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd are the respondents.

    Read also: El-Rufai drums up support for EFCC

    Mrs. Jonathan, in the suit filed in 2016, is demanding N200 million damages.

    She is urging the court to compel the EFCC to immediately remove the “no debit order” placed on her accounts with $9.8 million.

  • Court seizes N1.04b traced to ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan

    A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of N1,000,494,000 traced to Magel Resort Limited, a company linked to former First Lady ,Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The former First Lady and some relatives of former president, Goodluck Jonathan were directors of the company.

    Others named as directors are Oba Oba Tamunotonye, Goodluck Jonathan Aruera, Goodluck Jonathan Ariwabai and Esther Fynface.

    The cash was lodged in three deposits with Fidelity Bank Plc on 20th and 25th May 2015.

    The order was granted by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said in a statement on Friday that the court also ordered that the seized cash be deposited in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of the Federal Government.

    He said :“The Commission had received an intelligence that a bank account domiciled in Fidelity Bank, had a huge sum of money that was not being used by anybody.

    “Upon receipt of the intelligence, the EFCC swung into action by conducting preliminary investigation, which revealed that Patience and some relatives of former president, Goodluck Jonathan were directors of the Company.

    “In trying to trace the origin of the money, it was discovered that N500,000 was deposited on the 20th of May, 2015 by Fynface, who is alleged to be in charge of the company, while N1 billion (One Billion Naira Only) was transferred in two tranches on the 25th May, 2015 from PAGMAT OIL AND GAS NIGERIA LIMITED a company that was not incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

  • Patience Jonathan’s property demolished in Abuja

    Patience Jonathan’s property demolished in Abuja

    A property allegedly belonging to the former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was on Tuesday demolished by the FCT Development Control Department.

    The building, which is inside A. Aruera – Reachout Foundation/Women For Change and Development Initiative, is situated on Shehu Yar’Adua Way along Mabushi–Kado–Life Camp Expressway, Abuja.

    Mr Emmanuel Anene, a Lawyer with E.A. Ezugwu and Associates told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the issue of the building is still pending before the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Abuja.

    “Sometime before, people from Development Control came to the site, alleging that there was no approval for the building.

    “We met them at their office and showed them the approval, which they accepted. We thought that the matter was over.

    “They had earlier gone to court with application for forfeiture of the property to the government which they failed to achieve at the Lagos High Court.

    “So we were surprised that a team came in this afternoon without notifying us to remove the structure.

    “Also, we were not served with any notice for demolition, they just came in now and started the demolition of the structure,’’ he said.

    Responding, Mr Muktar Usman, Director of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), told NAN that the building has no approval and that notice was served for the demolition of the property.

    He said the building was not the only one affected by the demolition in the area as there were others that were also demolished.

    Muktar alleged that members of staff of the Development Control Department were also assaulted at the premises.

  • Senate summons bank MDs over freezing of Dame Jonathan’s accounts

    Senate summons bank MDs over freezing of Dame Jonathan’s accounts

    The Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Monday summoned the managing directors of seven banks over the freezing of the accounts of the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The committee also invited the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, over the same issue.

    The banks whose MDs were invited by the committee included  Zenith Bank , First Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity, Stanbic- IBTC , Diamond and Skye Banks.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, gave the order at a sitting of his committee Monday at the hearing of a petition by the former First Lady.

    The petition brought on behalf of Mrs. Jonathan by Granville Abibo (SAN) the former First Lady claimed that the  EFCC and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,( NDLEA) have at different times ” unleashed terror, dehumanizing, degrading and despicable treatment on her and her blood relations without justification.”

    The committee was told that the accounts in which the former first lady’s funds are trapped include that of companies Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development Investment Company and Transocean Property and Investment Ltd.

    Also, the account of her Non- Governmental Organisation-The Women for Change Development Initiative, A.Aruera Foundation as well as Finchley Top Homes Ltd and the former Fist lady’s salary account were frozen the petitioner said.

    “The accounts of her siblings, Innocent Nyegerefaka, Mohammed Oba and Esther Oba have all been frozen by EFCC without any court order, all because they are blood relations of Dame Patience Jonathan,” the petition further reads.

    Senator Anyanwu who issued the summon, insisted that the Managing Directors must appear in person as no representative would be accepted.

    EFCC chairman was absent from the hearing.

    A letter sent to the committee, the anti-graft agency said Magu was out of the country and would be back to the country today (Tuesday).

    As a result of the letter, the committee set Wednesday, 11th of October for the EFCC boss to appear before the committee.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s counsel also informed the committee that his client has resolved her differences with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency hence they would like to strike out the name of NDLEA off the petition before the Senate.

    Mrs. Jonathan counsel, Charles Ogboli, told the committee that the former First Lady’s accounts and that of her relations were frozen without any court order by the EFCC.

    He lamented that the action culminated in the death of Lazarus Eware brother to Mrs. Jonathan.

    He said: “The immediate elder brother to Patience Jonathan, Mr. Lazarus Eware died as a result of unfortunate maltreatment of him by EFCC as he could no longer cope in the face of this repeated humiliation, terror attacks and financial handicap.

    “He could no longer meet up with his responsibilities of his family including children’s school fees and medical bills.

    “As we speak, his lifeless body is still lying in a mortuary yet to be buried. The only offence said to have been committed by him is that he is the elder brother to Dame Patience Jonathan.”

  • Jonathan, Tinubu, Murray-Bruce, others in Minna for IBB daughter’s wedding

    Jonathan, Tinubu, Murray-Bruce, others in Minna for IBB daughter’s wedding

    Former President, Goodluck Jonathan on Friday led other top dignitaries which comprised of state governors, business moguls, Senators, top politicians and the who is who in the country at the wedding between the daughter of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and Alwak Lawal Ibrahim.

    Minna, the capital of Niger state was a bevvy of activities as dignitaries gathered for the wedding between the last daughter of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and the Sarkin Sudan of Gombe, Alwak Lawal Abdullahi.

    The security around the Minna metropolis and roads leading to the Uphill Mansion of Babangida was tightened as early as 7:00am.

    The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello was on hand to welcome guests at the Minna airport. Former President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan were among the first dignitaries to arrive at the Minna Airport

    The wedding fathia began at 2:00pm.

    The Chief Imam of Wushishi, Shrek Habibu Wushishi conducted the wedding prayer which lasted for twenty minutes while a bride price of N500,000 and ten cows was paid and collected by General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi who also gave out the bride.

    The Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo received the bride on behalf of the family of the groom.

    Dignitaries at the wedding include, former President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, former Vice President, Nmamdi Sambo, APC Chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Aliko Dangote, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dogara Yakubu, PDP Chairman, Ali Module Sheriff.

    Governors of Taraba state, Architect Darius Ishaku, Plateau statE, Simon Lalong, Kano state, Alhaji Abdullahi Gaduje, Nasarawa state, Alhaji Tanko Almakura, Jigsaw state, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.

    Former PDP Governors, Sule Lamido, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Alhaji Attahiru Bafawara, Isah Yuguda, Mahmud Shinkafi, Ibrahim Shema, Abubakar Dakingari, professor Osumbo, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

    General Garba Duba, Senator Magoro, AVM Hamza Abdullahi, Olu of Kuta, Oba Hamid Adekunle, former PDP Spokesman, Professor Alkali, General Aliyu Gusau, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Chairman UBA, Tony Elumelu, One of the Directors of Vanguard, Alhaji Ahmed, Dr. Ekwesileze Nwodo, former FCT Minister, Alhaji Modibo, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Senator Sanusi Dagash.

    Others include Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, MD Dornic Aviation, Mark Snoxell and wife, Wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori, Wuraola Ogunwusi, Alhaji Muhammed Abacha and wife, Former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenme.

    Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha congratulated General Babangida saying that he is the happiest man on earth, “President Babangida should be the happiest person, he has accomplished his mission because he came, he saw and he conquered.”

    He advised the newly Wed to always pray and communicate with each other at all times, “most marriages break up because of lack of communication and prayer. Marriage is all about communication, I urge the couple to communicate at all times.”

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello congratulated the newly weds urging them to be patient with each other and pray at all times especially in challenges.

  • Court refuses to unfreeze Patience Jonathan’s account

    Court refuses to unfreeze Patience Jonathan’s account

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday refused a request by Dame Patience Jonathan, seeking to unfreeze her accounts, having about 15.5 million dollars.

    Justice Mohammed Idris ordered parties to file pleadings since issues had been joined as to the ownership of the money.

    The judge held that all the defendants formulated different issues from those formulated by the plaintiff in the originating summons, saying it was unacceptable.

    “The issues formulated by all the defendants are baseless. They amount to no issue and will be ignored by the court.

    “I hold that this court lacks the competence to determine the issues raised by the defendants in their written addresses, having abandoned the specific issues formulated by the plaintiff in the originating summons.

    “It is unfortunate. I say this because the issues raised by the defendants appear on the face of it, are good and deserving to be considered on their merit.

    “But as I understand it to be the law, sentiment has no basis in the adjudicatory system.”

    Idris said that where processes were not properly prepared, any defect would render the proceeding fatal as the court cannot “re-formulate” the issues for determination.

    He held that there was a contention as to issues and facts in relation to the ownership of the money.

    “In respect of this issue, the contention appears divided and there is clearly an air of friction in the proceedings.”

    According to him, all the counter-affidavits filed by the defendants contain disputed facts that cannot be decided without oral evidence.

    “In the light of the above affidavit evidence, it cannot in my view be rightly contended that there are no disputed facts or substance as to the ownership of the said funds and the law.

    “The issues of fact raised by the defendants herein are not spurious or irrelevant. The affidavit of the plaintiff is also not conjectural.

    “In my view, the facts are contentious and oral evidence needs to be led by the parties herein.

    “In the light of the above facts, this case is generally not suitable for an originating summons procedure.
    “In the circumstances, the court hereby orders that the parties herein file pleadings in accordance with the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

    “Trial shall then proceed accordingly. This is the order of the court,” Idris held.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Jonathan had prayed the court to order the EFCC to unfreeze her Skye Bank accounts to enable her access the money.

    She joined as respondents: EFCC, Skye Bank Plc, Jonathan’s former aide Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd., and Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd.

    Also joined are Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd. and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd. are the respondents.

    On September 15, 2016, when they were arraigned, the companies, had through their representatives, pleaded guilty before Justice Babs Kuweumi, to the laundering of the money.

    They were charged along with Dudafa, Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, for laundering the money.

    Unlike the companies, Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.
    In a supporting affidavit to Jonathan’s suit, deposed to by one Sammie Somiari, he said that Dudafa helped the former first lady to open the accounts.

    He said that Dudafa on March 22, 2010, brought two Skye Bank officers, Demola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi, to meet Jonathan.

    The deponent had claimed that Jonathan was the sole signatory to the accounts and that she had no relationship with the companies.

  • Ex-First Lady earned N700, 000 as Perm Sec—EFCC

    Ex-First Lady earned N700, 000 as Perm Sec—EFCC

    •CCB: Check her assets declaration form in Bayelsa

    With N700,000 salary monthly as a Permanent Secretary, the ex-First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan would have to explain how she allegedly acquired  nine houses, two hotels and one plaza during the tenure of her husband, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

    The anti-graft commission has retrieved her monthly salary records and other allowances accruable to a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.

    But the pay package, EFCC sources told THE NATION, does not seem to tally with the properties credited to the ex-First Lady.

    Although she allegedly claimed that the $15million in her accounts was a gift, the EFCC might demand records of those who showered her with the cash gift.

    It was unclear as at press time whether or not the EFCC will seize the affected properties in line with Assets Forfeiture Clause in its 2004 Establishment Act.

    Preliminary investigation had linked the following assets to the former First Lady: Port Harcourt ——  Former Customs Service officers mess; two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; 3 Luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei Street;  and Grand View Hotel along airport road.

    Others in Yenagoa are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway;  Glass House along Sani Abacha Expressway which is housing Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring  Board; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo  Road; and Aridolf  Resort, Wellness and Spa along Sani Abacha Expressway.

    Detectives were however said to be probing if the affected assets were declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau by Mrs. Jonathan as a former Permanent Secretary.

    The Bureau said her assets declaration form was in its office in Bayelsa State and not Abuja.

    Findings by our correspondent showed that detectives of the EFCC have intensified the ongoing probe of the former First Lady.

    A reliable source said: “Our operatives are still going ahead with the investigation of the former First Lady.

    “So far, our detectives have retrieved her pay slip which showed that after all deductions, she was on monthly salary of N700,000. It is left to her to justify how the salary was able to fetch her assets.

    “We demanded for her pay status in line with Section 7 of the EFCC Act. She was a former Permanent Secretary, who earned salary at the end of the month. She managed public trust and she has to account for it.

    “We will also look into her assets declaration forms when she assumed office and after she left. If these assets are pleaded, we will proceed to the next stage of our investigation.”

    Section 7 of the EFCC Act says: “The commission has power to (a) cause any investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organization has committed any offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.

    “(b) Cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”

    Asked if the assets will be seized, the source added: “We are yet to get to this bend of investigation.

    “But we have read report where she claimed that the $15million in her account was a gift. Then the onus is on her to submit a list of the sources of the gift.”

    But the source claimed that detectives stumbled on a petition against her appointment as a Permanent Secretary.

    It was written by a civil servant who felt the civil service rules and regulations were violated.

    “The aggrieved civil servant alleged that promotion of the ex-First Lady from an Assistant Director to a Permanent Secretary was done without any promotion examination.

    “He also said the ex-First Lady did not spend up to a year as a director before she was promoted. He said the extant laws are clear that she ought to spend at least four years before moving to the next Grade Level.

    “But some in Bayelsa State claimed that appointment of Permanent Secretary is at the discretion of a governor. They said it is basically political.

    “You can see that there are many dimensions to her case. In fact, in her file, the Head of Service of Bayelsa State simply wrote: ‘Promote her all the same.’  We have certainly gone far on her.”

    On her assets declaration form and exit form, a source in CCB said: “All her forms are in our office in Bayelsa where she was a Permanent Secretary.”

  • Ijaw youths threaten total shutdown installations if…

    Ijaw youths threaten total shutdown installations if…

    Ijaw youths across the various clans in the Niger Delta on Thursday staged a massive protest in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State over what they described as the persecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Dame Patience and other close associates.

    The youths, in a large number, carried several placards with inscriptions that condemned sponsored media attacks and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s conspiratorial prosecution of the former first family.

    The group demanded an immediate cessation of what it called state-sponsored attacks and warned of a complete shutdown of oil installations should they persist.

    It would be recalled that the EFCC ordered the freeze of accounts belonging to the former first lady and through media outlets have bandied several amounts allegedly held by Mrs. Jonathan as being proceeds from crimes.

    Some lawyers, while insisting on Mrs. Jonathan’s innocence have insisted that the EFCC is being sensational with the issue as the bank balances of her accounts are far less than the various figures being touted. Mrs. Jonathan on her part has sued the management of Skye Bank in a joint suit with the EFCC.

  • Jonathan, wife absent at Dickson’s inauguration

    Jonathan, wife absent at Dickson’s inauguration

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, was on Sunday inaugurated for his second term in office.

    Dickson said his new term would focus on economic diversification, rural electrification scheme, massive investment in power to drive industrialization, youth empowerment and investment in agriculture.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, who recently attended a thanksgiving ceremony organised in Port Harcourt by Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, were conspicuously absent at the swearing-in and thanksgiving service.

    But governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members of the National Assembly, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), the party’s Board of Trustee (BoT) members, traditional rulers and many stalwarts of the party witnessed the event at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.

    Some of the PDP governors in attendance were – Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Dairus Ishaku (Taraba) and Dankwabo Ibrahim (Gombe).

    The 2015 governorship candidate of PDP in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje; the Senate Minority Leader and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogori and a host of other dignitaries were also present at the occasion.

    The state’s Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, administered the oaths on the governor and his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd).

    Abiri said she was empowered by Sections 185 (1) and 187 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to perform the ceremony, adding that Dickson and his deputy were required to take fresh oaths to renew their mandates.

    Speaking after the traditional parade by the police, Dickson said his victory was a testimony that the Ijaw nation had never and would not be conquered.