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Tag: Patience Jonathan

  • Court grants interim forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s property

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, granted an interim forfeiture order of a property belonging to former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, who granted the order, held that it was to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) investigate the acquisition of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, a property liked to Mrs Jonathan.

    Dimba however held that the order would elapse after 45 days.

    The EFCC had filed an exparte motion seeking temporary forfeiture of some properties allegedly belonging to Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation.

    The properties are said to be located at plot 1758, Cadastral Zone, B06 Mabushi and Plot No.1350, Cadastral Zone, Central Business District, Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency also asked the court for an order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the properties.

    “An order authorizing the EFCC to appoint competent person(s)/firm to manage the asset/property listed in the schedule herein, temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigation.”

    The agency said application was predicated on the fact that the property was a subject matter of investigation, inquiry and examination.

    The judge in his ruling on the exparte motion, granted the EFCC a 45-day of grace period within which to investigate whether the property was acquired by Jonathan with proceeds of crime.

    “I have carefully considered the processes filed. I have also carefully considered the arguments.

    “Accordingly, a period of 45 days is accorded to the EFCC to investigate whether the properties in question were acquired with the proceeds of crime.”

    The judge also dismissed the motion challenging the originating summons.

    Patience Jonathan’s counsel, Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in his reaction to the court’s ruling, said it was a well considered judgment.

    “We did not lose; we won,’’ he said.

    “What the EFCC wanted was for the property in dispute to be attached and forfeited to the government but the court refused, instead, gave them 45 days to further investigate and prosecute if they so wish with liberty to apply for renewal,” he said.

    NAN

  • Court dismisses EFCC’s bid to seize Patience Jonathan’s N7.35bn

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday dismissed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking to seize monies in 15 bank accounts linked to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The EFCC had moved to seize $8,435,788.84 and N7.35billion linked to the ex-first lady.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun dismissed the ex parte application filed by the anti-graft agency for the seizure of the funds, saying the funds were already subject of litigation before two other judges.

    Details later…

  • Assets forfeiture: Patience Jonathan knows fate April 30

    THE Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja yesterday fixed April 30 to rule on an application seeking the forfeiture of two properties belonging to former First lady Patience Jonathan to the Federal Government.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on October 20, 2017 filed an ex parte application praying the court for an order of interim forfeiture of some properties belonging to the former first lady.

    This was with particular reference to the property at Plot No. 1758, Cadastral Zone, Mabushi and Plot No.1350, Cadastral Zone, Central Business District, Abuja.

    The EFCC through its counsel Mr Benjamin Mangi, told the court that the application was predicated on the fact that the property was a subject matter of investigation, enquiry and examination.

    Jonathan’s lawyer, Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), filed an application seeking to stop the ex parte motion on the grounds that the properties were already a subject matter of litigation.

    Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter until April 30 for ruling

     

  • I didn’t know suitcases Jonathan’s ADC gave me contained cash – Dudafa

    A former Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, said on Tuesday he was not aware that over five suitcases given to him by former President Jonathan’s Aide De Camp, Onne Adegbe, contained cash.

    Dudafa denied that the suitcases were 10 in number, but admitted they were more than five.

    He was testifying during hearing in former First Lady, Patience Jonathan’s suit before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Mrs. Jonathan was seeking to unfreeze her accounts with $15.5million.

    Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, asked Dudafa during further cross examination to confirm that Adegbe handed some bags from the President to him.

    Dudafa said: “It is part of my duties to receive gifts on behalf of the former President and his wife.”

    When Oyedepo told him that the suitcases were 10, the witness said: “They were not 10. I think they were about five.”

    Responding to a question, Dudafa said: “The bags were heavy, but I don’t know the contents.”

    When it was suggested to him that the bags contained money, he said: “Nobody told me it was money.”

    On how he came about the bags, he said: “The President called me and said the ADC would bring bags, and that I should keep them in his study downstairs. When the President returned, I handed the key to him.”

    Dudafa said he received “several of such bags” on the President’s behalf.

    Oyedepo asked: “Will it surprise you to know that there was money in the bags?”

    Dudafa responded: “I don’t know what were in the bags. The President is still alive. He can explain.”

    Dudafa had earlier testified that Mrs. Jonathan maintained personal accounts in various financial institutions, and that she had such accounts before becoming First Lady.

    He admitted instructing stewards in the State House to pay dollars into Mrs. Jonathan’s accounts.

    Asked who gave the money to the stewards, he said: “Sometimes other presidential domestic aides hand over the money. At other times I relay such instructions as given.”

    Mrs. Jonathan sued the EFCC, Skye Bank Plc and three companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd.

    She is praying for an order restraining the defendants from tampering with her funds in the companies’ accounts domiciled in Skye Bank.

     

     

  • Dudafa: I didn’t know Patience Jonathan was perm sec

    A FORMER Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, yesterday said he was not aware that former First Lady Dame Patience was a one-time permanent secretary in Bayelsa State.

    He was testifying during hearing in Mrs. Jonathan’s suit before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to unfreeze her accounts with $15.5million.

    Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo asked Dudafa during cross-examination to confirm that Mrs. Jonathan was appointed as a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State on June 22, 2012.

    The witness said: “The appointment was not within my purview; so I don’t know anything about that.”

    Asked if he was aware that Mrs. Jonathan’s appointment was confirmed on July 23, 2012, Dudada said: “I don’t know.”

    EFCC then showed Dudafa Mrs. Jonathan’s letters of appointment and confirmation, and asked him to identify them.

    The witness said: “I have not gone through the documents as I had no prior knowledge of them. But on the surface, they’re addressed to Mrs. Jonathan.”

    Oyedepo and Dudafa engaged in a long game of hide and seek when the EFCC counsel asked if the witness deposed to his affidavit “on behalf of the plaintiff”.

    The witness said: “I deposed to my affidavit as a witness.”

    Oyedepo repeated the same questions for over five times and the witness kept giving the same responses.

    At a point, Dudafa said: “I have answered the question. I will not be cajoled. I don’t know if my statement was on behalf of anybody.”

    The EFCC lawyer urged Justice Idris to warn the witness to mind his language as he could not claim to be “cajoled” under cross-examination.

    After Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) apologised on Dudafa’s behalf, the witness was shown a written statement on oath in which he stated that he deposed it on the plaintiff’s behalf.

    Oyedepo asked the witness again: “You’re here again on behalf of the plaintiff.”

    Dudafa responded: “I am here as a witness of the plaintiff. The plaintiff invited me here as a witness.”

    Defence counsel Chief Adedipe, Chief Mike Ozekhome and Ige Asemudara had earlier raised objections on whether Oyedepo could ask Dudafa to identify the letters since he had stated that he did not know about Mrs. Jonathan’s appointment.

    Ozekhome, who represents two companies sued by Mrs. Jonathan, said even though his clients were defendants just like EFCC, “our interests are like heaven and earth”.

    He added that Oyedepo “was not just surrounded by sharks, but by crocodiles”.

    Asemudara said being co-defendants does not mean they could not align with the plaintiff.

    Oyedepo said the letters were public documents and could be tendered through any witness or even from the Bar.

    Justice Idris held that the witness could be cross-examined on the letters.

    The judge cut short the hearing after announcing that he was summoned to a meeting by the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Further hearing continues today.

  • I didn’t know Patience Jonathan was perm sec – Dudafa

    A former Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, said on Monday he was not aware that former First Lady, Dame Patience, was a one-time permanent secretary in Bayelsa State.

    He was testifying during hearing in Mrs. Jonathan’s suit before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The ex- First Lady was seeking to unfreeze her accounts with $15.5million.

    Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, asked Dudafa during cross examination to confirm that Mrs. Jonathan was appointed as a permanent secretary in Bayelsa State on June 22, 2012.

    The witness said: “The appointment was not within my purview, so I don’t know anything about that.”

    Asked if he was aware that Mrs. Jonathan’s appointment was confirmed on July 23, 2012, Dudada said: “I don’t know.”

    EFCC then showed Dudafa Mrs. Jonathan’s letters of appointment and confirmation, and asked him to identify them.

    The witness added: “I have not gone through the documents as I had no prior knowledge of them. But on the surface, they’re addressed to Mrs. Jonathan.”

    Oyedepo and Dudafa engaged in a long game of hide and seek when the EFCC counsel asked if the witness deposed to his affidavit “on behalf of the plaintiff.”

    Dudafa replied: “I deposed to my affidavit as a witness.”

    Oyedepo repeated the same questions for over five times and the witness kept giving the same responses.

    At a point, the ex-presidential aide said: “I have answered the question. I will not be cajoled. I don’t know if my statement was on behalf of anybody.”

    The EFCC lawyer urged Justice Idris to warn the witness to mind his language as he could not claim to be “cajoled” under cross examination.

    After Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), apologised on Dudafa’s behalf, the witness was shown a written statement on oath in which he stated that he deposed it on the plaintiff’s behalf.

    Oyedepo asked the witness again: “You’re here again on behalf of the plaintiff.” Dudafa responded: “I am here as a witness of the plaintiff. The plaintiff invited me here as a witness.”

     

     

  • ‘Why we ’re investigating Patience Jonathan’

    ‘Why we ’re investigating Patience Jonathan’

    •EFCC faults her claim on demolished property 

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that it was investigating former First Lady Patience Jonathan for her alleged involvement in money laundering activities.

    It added that the investigation was informed by its discovery that she allegedly laundered money and bought property beyond her legitimate earnings.

    An investigator with the EFCC, Kolawole Mukaila, who is a member of a special task force constituted by the commission to investigate the ex-First Lady, said this in a court document.

    Mukaila, who deposed to a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC, said his special task force is “investigating alleged amounts of money laundered by the former First Lady into various accounts and property purchased, which are disproportionate to her known source of income”.

    The EFCC investigator also described as misleading claim by Mrs. Jonathan that her property in Abuja had been demolished by an agency at the instigation of the commission.

    Mukaila, in a counter affidavit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, said  against Mrs. Jonathan’s claim, the property housing some organisations linked to her was never demolished.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court that on January 22, a property owned by a group – A. Aruera Reachout Foundation/Women for Change and Development Initiative, linked with the ex-First Lady, has been demolished by a government agency

    He said the property, an uncompleted structure, is located on Shehu Yar’Adua Way, Mabushi-Kado Life Camp Expressway, Abuja.

    When asked by the court if he was aware of the alleged demolition, lawyer to the EFCC, Benjamin Manji, denied knowledge of such development.

    Manji said he was hearing for the first time that the property, the subject of an ex-parte motion the EFCC filed, had been demolished.

    He said the property was a subject of an ongoing investigation of alleged money laundering case by the EFCC, which informed the motion for interim forfeiture now pending before the court.

    In view of EFCC’s position, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba directed that the true position be investigated and that parties should report to the court at the next hearing date.

    It was in compliance with the directive of the judge that the EFCC filed its counter affidavit dated February 23, 2018. It was in response to an earlier affidavit by Ozekhome (dated February 7) complaining about the alleged demolition.

    Mukaila stated that contrary to the claim by Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, the property in question, known as Plot No: 1758 Cadastral Zone A00, Central Business District, Abuja, still exists and was never demolished by any person or group of persons.

    He said the position presented by Ozekhome at the last hearing in the case (on January 22),  “misrepresented facts in making the court to believe that the entire structure, which the applicant (EFCC) applied to be forfeited, was demolished by officers of the applicant in conjunction with the Federal Capital Development Authority/Development Control (FCDA/DC)”.

    Mukaila stated that what was demolished by FCDA/DC was a mini chalet situated behind the main structure due to non-approval.

    When the case was called yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer Rimamsomte Ezekiel informed the court about the counter-affidavit, which he said has been served on the respondent.

    Ozekhome acknowledged service, but said he required time to respond because he was served late last Friday.

    Justice Dimgba later adjourned to April 12 for hearing.

  • How Shagaya laundered N3.3b for Jonathan’s wife – EFCC

    How Shagaya laundered N3.3b for Jonathan’s wife – EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday heard that a businesswoman, Hajiya Shagaya, allegedly laundered N3.3billion for former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urged the court not to unfreeze a Unity Bank account with a balance of N1, 902,673,399.93 belonging to Hajiya  Shagaya.

    It said the applicant would “use the court as a shield against criminal investigation and prosecution” if the application is granted.

    These were contained in a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC in response to an originating summons filed by Shagaya, urging the court to give her access to the account which had been frozen since December 29, 2016.

    Shagaya, through her lawyer, Mr. Napoleon Emeaso-Nwachukwu, contended that she was not given fair hearing before Justice Muslim Hassan made the freezing order.

    She urged Justice Oguntoyinbo to set Justice Hassan’s order aside by declaring it unconstitutional, null and void “as same violates the applicant’s right to own movable property as guaranteed by Section 44(1)(k) of the I999 Constitution of Nigeria.”

    In a 19-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Sulaiman Aliu, Shagaya expressed concern that the ex- parte order made by Justice Hassan appeared, otherwise, to be final as the judge “did not give any return date for further proceedings and did not avail the applicant, who was the respondent therein and owner of the attached properties, a hearing.”

    She said there was no criminal charge against her before and after the freezing order was made to justify the EFCC’s action, denying her access to the funds.

    She said: “The order of this honourable court made on the 29th of December, 2016 by Honourable Justice M.S. Hassan deprived the applicant of her property without recourse to laid-down procedure and due process of law.

    “The ex parte order made to last pending the determination of an investigation, which is devoid of a time certain and indefinite in nature, is oppressive and a violation of the applicant’s rights to fair hearing, presumption of innocence and right to her property.”

    She said since “the unlawful freezing of the applicant’s account by the respondent, the applicant has not been able to transact with that account due to her inability to access same and this has caused her business losses and opportunities.”

    She said it would be in the best interest of justice to grant her access to the account.

    But the EFCC argued that Justice Oguntoyinbo lacks the power to sit as an appellate court over Justice Hassan’s decision, describing Shagaya’s originating summons as abuse of court processes.

  • Why we are investigating Patience Jonathan – EFCC

    Why we are investigating Patience Jonathan – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed Monday that it was investigating former First Lady, Patience Jonathan for her alleged involvement in money laundering activities.

    The EFCC said its investigation of Mrs. Jonathan was informed by its discovery that she allegedly laundered money and bought property beyond her legitimate earnings.

    An investigator with the EFCC, Kolawole Mukaila, who is a member of a special task force constituted by the commission to investigate the ex-First Lady, disclosed this in a court document.

    Mukaila, who deposed to a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC, said his special task force is “investigating alleged amounts of money laundered by the former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan into various accounts and property purchased, which are disproportionate to her known source of income”

    The EFCC investigator also described as misleading claim by Mrs. Jonathan that her property in Abuja has been demolished by a government’s agency at the instigation of the commission.

    Mukaila stated, in a counter affidavit it filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja that, as against Mrs. Jonathan’s claim, the property, housing some organisations linked to her was never demolished.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) told the court on January 22 this year that a property owned by a group – A. Aruera Reachout Foundation/Women for Change and Development Initiative, linked with the ex-First Lady, has been demolished by an agency of the government.

    He said the property, an uncompleted structure, is said to be located on Shehu Yar’Adua Way along Mabushi-Kado Life Camp Expressway, Abuja.

    When asked by the court if he was aware of the alleged demolition, lawyer to the EFCC, Benjamin Manji denied knowledge of such development.

    Manji said he was hearing for the first time that the property, the subject of an ex-parte motion the EFCC filed, has been demolished.

    He said the property was a subject of an ongoing investigation of alleged money laundering case by the EFCC, which informed the motion for interim forfeiture now pending before the court.

    In view of EFCC’s position, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba directed that the true position be investigated and that parties should report to the court at next hearing date.

    It was in compliance with the directive of the judge that the EFCC filed its counter affidavit dated February 23, 2018. It was in response to an earlier affidavit by Ozekhome (dated. February 7, 2018) complaining about the alleged demolition.

    Mukaila stated that contrary to the claim by Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, the property in question, known as Plot No: 1758 Cadastral Zone A00 Central Business District, Abuja is still exist and was never demolished by any person or group of persons.

    He further stated that the position presented by Ozekhome, at the last hearing in the case (on January 22), “misrepresented facts in making the court to believe that the entire structure which the applicant (EFCC) applied to be forfeited was demolished by officers of the applicant in conjunction with Federal Capital Development Authority/Development Control (FCDA/DC).”

    Mukaila stated that what was demolished by FCDA/DC was a mini chalet situated behind the main structure due to non-approval.

    He added: “I personally visited the property and confirmed that the property known as Plot No: 1758 Cadastral Zone A00 Central Business District, Abuja is still exist and was never demolished by anyone

    “From my visit to the property and also as seen on Annexure EFCC 1 – 4 (photographs of the structure), what was demolished was a mini chalet situated behind the main building.

    “Upon enquiry from the FCDA/DC, I was reliably informed that the Development Control, under the FCDA, carried out the demolition of the chalet and the reason is that the building of the chalet has no government approval as specified by law,” he said.

    When the case was called yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer, Rimamsomte Ezekiel informed the court about the counter-affidavit, which he said has been served on the respondent.

    Ozekhome acknowledged service, but said he required time to respond because he was served late last Friday.

    He faulted EFCC’s claim in the counter affidavit.

    Ozekhome said: “The counter affidavit is a lie, because we are going to attack it for what it is.

    “If it was in those days when we have sufficient security, we would have asked that the court visit the site of the building.

    “They wantonly demolished two out of the four houses that constituted the structure.

    “What they did in their counter affidavit was to take the pictures from the back of the other two buildings that are yet to be demolished.

    “When we return on the next adjourned date, we shall argue that while the case is pending before the court, they do not have a right to demolish even a room in the building,” Ozekhome said.

    Justice Dimgba later adjourned to April 12 for hearing.

    Read Also: $11.489m: EFCC rejects Patience Jonathan’s settlement offer

  • $11.489m: EFCC rejects Patience Jonathan’s settlement offer

    $11.489m: EFCC rejects Patience Jonathan’s settlement offer

    Former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s bid to settle out of court the brewing dispute over the strange payment of $11,489,069.03 into her domiciliary accounts has been rejected.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has  asked the ex-First Lady to come before a court by entering into a plea bargain in line with the laws of the land.

    The agency said it would only accept a plea bargain in which the court is carried along.

    Also, EFCC detectives have not been able to trace about 29 of the 31 individuals and companies which made the controversial deposits.

    The development has fuelled speculations that some of the depositors are “fictitious”.

    Some of the shops where the ex-First Lady visited are said to have offered to give details of how much was spent and the items bought.

    The EFCC believes that an out-of-court settlement suggests that there is a dispute between two parties.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, 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 a deal.

    “But we prefer the ex-First Lady approaching a court for plea bargain in line with the relevant laws if she is ready to settle all issues. The terms of the plea bargain will be open to all parties before the court.

    “I think she should emulate other high profile suspects who went to the court for plea bargain. We are ready to apply the laws in the interest of justice for all. We won’t oppose plea bargain.”

    The source said the EFCC would soon make its position known to Mrs Jonathan counsel. “As an officer in the Temple of Justice, we know that the respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) will guide the ex-First Lady accordingly,” he said.