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  • Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: Ozekhome, EFCC’s lawyer clash over representation

    Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: Ozekhome, EFCC’s lawyer clash over representation

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Mike Ozekhome and counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Rotimi Oyedepo clashed at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday.

    It was over the representation of four companies that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

    Ozekhome is claiming to have been validly appointed to represent the firms. Another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, also claimed that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.

    The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd.

    The EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa; a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs; and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Unlike the companies, Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors to represent them, not Ozekhome.

    The motion was argued yesterday before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    Ozekhome urged the court to dismiss the application for change of counsel.

    Oyedepo said he was not opposed to the motion.

    There was a heated exchanged between Ozekhome and Oyedepo when the SAN accused EFCC of trying to determine which lawyer would represent the companies.

    Ozekhome said the EFCC, being the prosecution, should not be interested in who represented the companies.

    He said: “Because we want to set aside the guilty plea of the companies, they arranged with the EFCC to change counsel. We’ll not allow that to happen. They’ll continue to contend with my face.

    “It already shows that you (EFCC) have an interest in who represents the defendant you’re prosecuting.”

    But, Oyedepo described Ozekhome’s comments as prejudicial, saying they were unfair to him and EFCC.

    “The allegation made by the learned SAN is totally unmeritorious. It is not in the interest of justice. It’s prejudicial to us. It’s unfortunate.

    “This is not the only case we are both involved in. So, why would I not want to see his face?  My prayer is that he should be busy, that people should contact and give him briefs,” he said.

    Oyedepo said it was wrong for Ozekhome to “scandalise” him. But the SAN insisted that the EFCC had a preference for the lawyer who would represent the firms.

    Ozekhome: “I did not scandalise him. I only said that EFCC wanting to determine who represents the defendants in a matter they are prosecuting shows they have interest in the matter.

    “Otherwise, why would directors of a company plead guilty on behalf of a company after they had earlier said they didn’t know anything about the company?

    “I wasn’t casting any aspersions on him. I was making a statement of fact. And I maintain it till death, till eternity,” Ozekhome said.

    Oyedepo sought the court’s leave to explain why he was not opposed to application for change of counsel. But other defence counsel objected on the basis that EFCC was only a respondent, not an applicant.

    Justice Kuewumi tried to calm them down, saying Ozekhome’s comments was not part of his records.

    Ozekhome also accused the EFCC of trying to intimidate judges, saying: “Stop intimidating the judiciary!”

    The judge responded: “This court cannot be intimidated.”

    Oyedepo said it was “unfair” for Ozekhome to make such as allegation.

    In an affidavit in support of Ozekhome’s motion, a lawyer in his firm, Chimaobi Onuigbo, said the companies’ representatives who pleaded guilty to money laundering (Friday Davis, Agbo Baro, Dioghowori Fredrick and Taiwo Ebenezer) had earlier denied having anything to do with the companies or being directors.

    He said the representatives also refused to accept service of processes in a suit by Mrs. Jonathan against EFCC and others pending before Justice Mohammed Idris of the same court.

    The deponent noted that Justice Idris had directed parties to serve Briggs with the process since he was on record as the Companies’ Secretary.

    Ozekhome said when Briggs was served with the processes, he instructed him to defend the companies.

    “I was briefed not just on this matter but on the other matters involving the companies, even on appeal. They want an unknown entity to displace me. It is infra dignitatem (beneath dignity), abominable,” he said.

    But, Oyedepo said the court had earlier recognised the companies’ individual representatives, who he said had the right to appoint their counsel.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned till March 13 for ruling on which lawyer to represent the companies.

     

  • Patience Jonathan: Ozekhome, EFCC’s lawyer clash over representation

    Patience Jonathan: Ozekhome, EFCC’s lawyer clash over representation

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome and counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, clashed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday.

    The disagreement was over the representation of four companies that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    While Ozekhome is claiming to have been validly appointed to represent the firms, another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, also claimed that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.

    The companies are – Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Limited.

    The EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Unlike the companies, Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors to represent them, not Ozekhome.

    The motion was argued before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    While Ozekhome urged the court to dismiss the application for change of counsel, Oyedepo said he was not opposed to the motion.

    There was a heated exchanged between Ozekhome and Oyedepo when the SAN accused EFCC of trying to determine which lawyer would represent the companies.

    Ozekhome said EFCC being the prosecution should not be interested in who represented the companies.

    He said: “Because we want to set aside the guilty plea of the companies, they arranged with the EFCC to change counsel. We’ll not allow that to happen. They’ll continue to contend with my face.

    “It already show your interest, that you (EFCC) have an interest in who represents the defendants you’re prosecuting.”

    But, Oyedepo described Ozekhome’s comments as prejudicial, saying they were unfair to him and EFCC.

    “The allegation made by the learned SAN is totally unmeritorious. It is not in the interest of justice. It’s prejudicial to us. It’s unfortunate.

    “This not the only case we are both involved in, so why would I not want to see his face?  My prayer is that he should be busy, that people should contact and give him briefs,” he said.

    Oyedepo said it was wrong for Ozekhome to “scandalise” him, but the SAN insisted that the EFCC had a preference for the lawyer who would represent the firms.”

     

  • Ex-First Lady to EFCC: let’s settle out-of-court

    Ex-First Lady to EFCC: let’s settle out-of-court

    Perhaps overwhelmed by the EFCC probe and its likely consequences, the ex-First Lady has applied for an out-of-court settlement with the EFCC.

    In “a major breakthrough by EFCC with international collaboration” detectives found that about $7,452,319.32 suspicious funds were deposited in the ex-First Lady’s account with number 2110001712 between 8th February 2013 and 7th April 2015.

    The account was opened on  September 12, 2013  by a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Hon. Dudafa Waripamo Owei depositing  $1,948,400.00.

    About 23 other individuals, including  the ex-First Lady allegedly deposited cash into  the account as follows: Festus Iyoha ($287,100.000); Ocheche Emmanuel ($150,000);  Philemon Buoro ($150,000);  Festus Isidahomen ($100,000);  Felicia Apatake ($148,900); Patricia Okogun ($ 99,700); Buoro Ojo  ($400,000); Stella Wasiu  ($250,000);  Amaka Adebayo  ($250,000);  Segun Moses  ($249,400); Jimoh Peter ($246,700);  Ahmed Musa ($196,400); Ibrahim Musa($198,300); Dame P. Jonathan ($100,000);  Ayemere Sunday ($ 250,000);  Eneji A.P ($300,000); Johnson Ojo ($300,000);  Mary Buoro ($400,000); Jude  Bosede ($500,000); Festus Iyoha ($400,000);  Jimoh Moses ($400,000) and  Ahmed Musa ($100,000).

    “The balance in this account as at 9th September 2016 was about $5,831,173.55,” the EFCC said.

    The second account was opened on February 22, 2013 at First Bank.

    Cash deposits were made into the account between 26th February 2013 and 30th April, 2017 which altogether was $4,036,750.

    Apart from the ex-First Lady who deposited $2,037,650 in nine tranches, other lodgments ranged  from $98,900 to $400,000.

    The former SA Domestic, Dudafa Waripamo Owei, led the pack of depositors on 27th February 2013 with a deposit of $400,000. Other depositors are: Germaine ($100,000); Dudafa ($400,000); Germani ($200,000); Ade Suleiman ($200,000); Mohammed Adamu ($300,000); Francis Muhd ($300,000); Kunle Peter ($200,000); Suleiman Ade ($299,900,00) and Jonathan Patience ($2,037,650).

    “Detectives traced the transactions pattern placed the card holder in various countries to United States, Great Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, UAE and Italy.

    The card was allegedly used in highbrow shops, such as Marks and Spencer,  Kingsgate, Natwest Bank, Gina stores and Harrods.

    “ The balance in this account as at 9th September 2016 was $3,691,145.48.”

    A source in EFCC said: “We have gone far in our investigation of the ex-First Lady to prove that it is not  a case of witch-hunt in any manner whatsoever. We are already trying to verify the names of the depositors if they really existed or they are fake.

    “ Since we have uncovered all these suspicious deposits, we only need her to account in court on how she came about them. Our crack teams worked day and night to trace these funds.

    “With international collaboration, there is no hiding place for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) because some of these malls sometimes  report suspicious transactions or spending. They marvelled at where top Nigerian political office holders and their spouses got the cash being lavished.”

    The former First Lady, however,  seems to be tired of litigation over her fortune. In a January 30, 2018 letter, titled “Proposal for out-of-Court Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan,” she told the EFCC of her intention to settle the matter.

    The letter, which was written by her counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), is being considered by the EFCC.

    The letter said: “As senior counsel,  representing Dame (Mrs.) Patience Jonathan (former First Lady) and companies linked to her and some family members, associates,  companies and NGOs, we have thought it fit to engage your commission in a discussion over all issues involving her and the commission with a view to having amicable resolution of all cases as stated above.

    “This will enable both sides create an atmosphere for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. We will therefore appreciate it, if you can give us an appointment at your earliest convenience to have a discussion over all matters involving her and members of her family.

    “We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission and our client.

    “We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection,  and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards.”

    Another EFCC source said: “We have received a letter from the ex-First Lady, we are studying it on whether or not to accept the out-of-court settlement or allow justice to take its course.”

    Read Also: How Jonathan’s wife blew $41,438 in one-day shopping

    Apart from the cash, the ex-First Lady is linked to 12 choice properties and a plot of land on which a building is being built.

    The investigative team had recommended that Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 be invoked on the properties after due verification.

    The assets linked to Mrs. Jonathan in Port Harcourt  are:  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.

    In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, 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 on Sani Abacha Expressway.

  • How Jonathan’s wife blew $41,438 in one-day shopping

    How Jonathan’s wife blew $41,438 in one-day shopping

    Former First Lady Mrs Patience Jonathan is a shopping freak – going by facts and figures unveiled by detectives.

    She blew thousands of dollars at highbrow stores. The cash came from $11,849,069.03, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said 31 individuals and companies paid  into her two domiciliary accounts.

    The accounts, which  are Skye Bank (2110001712) and First Bank (2022648664) had “questionable deposits” between 2013 and 2017.

    The Skye Bank account had about $7,452,319.32 lodged in it. Detectives found $4,036,750.00 in the second account with First Bank.

    The ex-First Lady allegedly spent the cash at TFS stores,  Selfridges,  John Lewis, Kingsgate,  Sainsbury’s, Harrods, Marks and Spencer, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gina.

    She went on a shopping  spree in expensive outlets in the United States, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, UAE, Italy and China.

    The highest shopping was  at Goyard Beijing  in Beijing CN on January 28, 2014 where Mrs. Jonathan shelled out $28,388.72.

    On the same day at Hulian Xinguang Beijing CN, she blew $13, 069.68 on some luxury items.

    Read Also: Patience Jonathan kicks as EFCC seeks forfeiture of $8.4m, N7.3b

    There were transactions traced to Oakham School,  Natwest Bank and $26, 228. 18 spent at Hotel Nassaeur HOF Wishbaden DE on November 20, 2015.

    Perhaps overwhelmed by the EFCC probe and its likely consequences, the ex-First Lady has applied for an out-of-court settlement with the EFCC.

    In “a major breakthrough by EFCC with international collaboration” detectives found that about $7,452,319.32 suspicious funds were deposited in the ex-First Lady’s account with number 2110001712 between 8th February 2013 and 7th April 2015.

  • Patience Jonathan kicks as EFCC seeks forfeiture of $8.4m, N9.1bn

    Patience Jonathan kicks as EFCC seeks forfeiture of $8.4m, N9.1bn

    Wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan Dame Patience, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking temporary forfeiture of her $8,435,788.84 and N7.35billion.

    She is praying the court for an order striking out the motion filed last December 13 on the grounds that it lacks jurisdiction to hear it.

    Mrs Jonathan said the motion was “a gross abuse of court process” because the issues were already pending before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “The ex-parte originating summons filed by the EFCC amounts to forum shopping, thus an abuse of court process,” she said.

    Through her lawyer Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mrs Jonathan said the same application had earlier been filed by the EFCCC before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the court’s Lagos division, upon which it had obtained an ex-parte order.

    She said the same application was before Justice Nyako “over same parties to be affected by this same application.”

    The former first lady said EFCC allegedly failed to disclose the different suits and orders made prior to filing the application before Justice Olatoregun in Lagos.

    “The respondent is making great mockery of the judicial system and in extension this honourable court,” Mrs Jonathan said.

    In a supporting affidavit, a lawyer in Ozekhome’s chambers, Chimaobi Onuigbo, said EFCC knowing that its application had been challenged in Abuja, filed the one in Lagos.

    “The respondent upon knowing that their application had been challenged has come to this court to seek same relief over same accounts and parties that it has filed same application against in all the suits already mentioned,” he said.

    The respondents in EFCC’s motion are Mrs Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services, Finchley Top Homes Ltd, AM PM Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd, Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba.

    Onuigbo said their accounts had been frozen for over one year although they had not been charged with any offence by the EFCC.

    “They (Mrs Jonathan and others) have never been invited, investigated, charged or convicted by any court after same accounts have remained freezed for over one year and two months.

    “I know that the applicant will never disclose these gross abuse of the judicial process of this court to this honourable court as this same matter is pending before four different courts of concurrent jurisdiction,” the deponent said.

    EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo at the last hearing, informed Justice Olatoregun that he had filed an affidavit showing that all the monies EFCC is seeking to be forfeited were not subject of litigation in any court.

    He said the coast was clear to hear the forfeiture application, adding: “The application we filed in Lagos is for forfeiture and it is not pending before any court other in Nigeria.”

    EFCC said the funds, which it believes were diverted from Bayelsa State, were found in 15 bank accounts linked to Mrs. Jonathan.

    According to the commission, the funds were allegedly moved from Bayelsa State’s coffers when Mrs. Jonathan served as permanent secretary.

    The Commission alleged that she gained access to the funds by fraudulently assuming the identity of one Esther Oba as the signatory to the accounts.

    Hearing was stalled in the case yesterday due to Justice Olatoregun’s absence.

    The case was fixed for tomorrow for hearing.

  • Patience Jonathan kicks as EFCC seeks forfeiture of $8.4m, N7.3b

    Patience Jonathan kicks as EFCC seeks forfeiture of $8.4m, N7.3b

    Wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking the temporary forfeiture of her $8,435,788.84 and N7.35 billion respectively.

    She asked the court to grant an order striking out the motion filed on December 13 last year because it lacks jurisdiction to hear it.

    Mrs. Jonathan said the motion was “a gross abuse of court process” because the issues were already pending before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “The ex-parte originating summons filed by the EFCC amounts to forum shopping, thus an abuse of court process,” she said.

    Through her lawyers, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the former first lady said the same application had earlier been filed by the EFCC before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the court’s Lagos division, upon which it had obtained an ex-parte order.

    She said the same application was before Justice Nyako “over same parties to be affected by this same application.”

    She said EFCC allegedly failed to disclose the different suits and orders made prior to filing the application before Justice Olatoregun in Lagos.

    “The respondent is making great mockery of the judicial system and in extension this honourable court,” Mrs. Jonathan said.

    In a supporting affidavit, a lawyer in Ozekhome’s chambers, Chimaobi Onuigbo, said EFCC knowing that its application had been challenged in Abuja, filed the one in Lagos.

    “The respondent upon knowing that their application had been challenged has come to this court to seek same relief over same accounts and parties that it has filed same application against in all the suits already mentioned,” he said.

    The respondents in EFCC’s motion are – Mrs. Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited, Pagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Magel Resort Limited and Esther Oba.

    Onuigbo said their accounts had been frozen for over one year although they had not been charged with any offence by the EFCC.

     

     

  • Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: I was appointed to represent firms, says Ozekhome

    Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: I was appointed to represent firms, says Ozekhome

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he was validly appointed to represent four companies that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

    Another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, had claimed that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.

    Ozekhome is praying the court to nullify the guilty plea entered by the companies on the basis that they were not given fair hearing.

    The companies through their representatives pleaded guilty on September 15, 2016, and were convicted for laundering the money when they were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors to represent them, not Ozekhome.

    But, Ozekhome, in his counter-affidavit, said he was properly briefed by the companies through their secretary, Briggs, to handle their case.

    In an affidavit in support of Ozekhome’s motion, a lawyer in his firm, Chimaobi Onuigbo, said the companies representatives who pleaded guilty to money laundering (Friday Davis, Agbo Baro, Dioghowori Fredrick and Taiwo Ebenezer) had earlier denied having anything to do with the companies or being directors.

    He said the representatives also refused to accept service of processes in a suit by Mrs Jonathan against EFCC and others pending before Justice Mohammed Idris.

    The deponent noted that Justice Idris had directed parties to serve Briggs with the process since he was on record as the Companies’ Secretary.

    Ozekhome said when Briggs was served with the processes, he instructed him to defend the companies.

    “Briggs then deposed to an affidavit…where he clearly stated that Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) was instructed by the companies to undertake the defence of the 4th – 7th defendants (companies) in all legal proceedings they were involved in,” said the deponent.

    The SAN added that there was no resolution of the board or general meeting of any of the companies that authorised change of counsel, adding that companies through Briggs have not asked him to stop representing them.

    “The attempt to appoint another legal representative by the directors is invalid, having regard to the fact that he (Briggs) vide a sworn affidavit and a letter of instruction given to Chief Ozekhome, asked him to represent the 4th – 7th defendants,” he said.

    Besides, he said Justice Kuewumi had earlier ruled on a dispute on representation, recognising him as the authorised counsel for the companies; therefore, the judge had become functus officio.

    “I know that the application to change counsel is targeted at impeding the administration of justice and to prevent the 4th – 7th defendants from obtaining justice before this Honourable Court.

    “It will be prejudicial to the 4th – 7th defendants as well as the interest of justice in this case if the applicants are granted their prayers for change of counsel,” Ozekhome said.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned till February 14 for hearing.

  • Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: I was validly appointed to represent firms – Ozekhome

    Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: I was validly appointed to represent firms – Ozekhome

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN ) Chief Mike Ozekhome yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he was validly appointed to represent four companies that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

    Another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, had claimed that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.

    Ozekhome is praying the court to nullify the guilty plea entered by the companies on the basis that they were not given fair hearing.

    The companies through their representatives pleaded guilty on September 15, 2016, and were convicted for laundering the money when they were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi. 

    The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors to represent them, not Ozekhome.

    But, Ozekhome, in his counter-affidavit, said he was properly briefed by the companies through their secretary, Briggs, to handle their case.

    In an affidavit in support of Ozekhome’s motion, a lawyer in his firm, Chimaobi Onuigbo, said the companies representatives who pleaded guilty to money laundering (Friday Davis, Agbo Baro, Dioghowori Fredrick and Taiwo Ebenezer) had earlier denied having anything to do with the companies or being directors.

    He said the representatives also refused to accept service of processes in a suit by Mrs Jonathan against EFCC and others pending before Justice Mohammed Idris.

    The deponent noted that Justice Idris had directed parties to serve Briggs with the process since he was on record as the Companies’ Secretary.

    Ozekhome said when Briggs was served with the processes, he instructed him to defend the companies.

    “Briggs then deposed to an affidavit…where he clearly stated that Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) was instructed by the companies to undertake the defence of the 4th – 7th defendants (companies) in all legal proceedings they were involved in,” said the deponent.

    The SAN added that there was no resolution of the board or general meeting of any of the companies that authorised change of counsel, adding that companies through Briggs have not asked him to stop representing them.

    “The attempt to appoint another legal representative by the directors is invalid, having regard to the fact that he (Briggs) vide a sworn affidavit and a letter of instruction given to Chief Ozekhome, asked him to represent the 4th – 7th defendants,” he said.

    Besides, he said Justice Kuewumi had earlier ruled on a dispute on representation, recognising him as the authorised counsel for the companies; therefore, the judge had become functus officio.

    “I know that the application to change counsel is targeted at impeding the administration of justice and to prevent the 4th – 7th defendants from obtaining justice before this Honourable Court.

    “It will be prejudicial to the 4th – 7th defendants as well as the interest of justice in this case if the applicants are granted their prayers for change of counsel,” Ozekhome said.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned till February 14 for hearing.

  • Court orders probe of Patience Jonathan’s property’s demolition

    Court orders probe of Patience Jonathan’s property’s demolition

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered the relevant agencies to probe the alleged demolition of a property linked to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

    The said property was demolished in Abuja recently.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the directive following complaint filed by lawyer to Mrs. Jonathan, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    The lawyer argued that the property owned by a group, A. Aruera Reachout Foundation/Women For Change and Development Initiative and linked with the ex-First Lady, had been demolished by a government agency.

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

    Read Also: Court freezes lawyer’s account over N40m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had incidentally filed an ex-parte application before the court for temporary forfeiture of the same property.

    However, Ozekhome, who is acting for the Registered Trustees of Aruera Foundation, rejected the move.

    Parties were in court on Monday for the hearing of the applications when Ozekhome raised the issue of the alleged demolition.

    Ozekhome stated that the property has been demolished by a government agency.

    But he did not identify the agency.

    .

  • Absence of witness stalls hearing on Patience Jonathan’s seized $15.5m

    Absence of witness stalls hearing on Patience Jonathan’s seized $15.5m

    Hearing in the case filed by wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday because her witness was “sick.”

    Mrs. Jonathan is seeking to unfreeze her accounts containing $15.5million frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    When the case came up before Justice Mohammed Idris, her lawyer, Granville Abibo (SAN) told the court that his witness was within the court premises but was very ill.

    “Our witness is not in good health condition. We have tried to bring him inside the court, but he cannot even stand,” he said.

    He asked for an adjournment.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, expressed his sympathies, but added that the witness should have at least stepped into the courtroom since he was already within the premises.

    “I apply that my Lord directs the plaintiff’s counsel to bring his witness inside the court for my Lord to see him and assess him,” he said.

    Counsel for the third and fourth defendants, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said he was not opposed to the application for an adjournment.

    Fifth defendant’s lawyer, Ige Asemudara, said he was also not opposed to the application, but added that Oyedepo should be cautioned for doubting Abibo’s claim.

    “How can he be doubting very senior member of the Bar?,” he said, citing a Supreme Court case in which it was held that only the living can face trial.

    Oyedepo said he merely made a submission and that nobody should cast aspersions on him.

    Ruling, Justice Idris held that since the plaintiff was applying for an adjournment for the first time, it was fair to grant it in the interest of justice.

    In its defence to the suit, EFCC argued that Mrs. Jonathan does not run any business from which she could have earned such huge sums.

    The Commission said its investigations showed that the money was allegedly stolen from the Federal Government and its agencies, and that it does not belong to the former First Lady.

    “There is no way the plaintiff (Mrs. Jonathan) could have genuinely earned the monies. She is the wife of the former president, a civil servant and a retired Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.

    “She does not run any profit and interest yielding business venture to generate such money.

    “Investigation conducted by the first defendant (EFCC) revealed that the plaintiff is not the owner of the funds in the accounts of the third to fifth defendants (companies), which funds were discovered to be proceeds of fraudulent activities of Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa,” EFCC said.

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

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