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Tag: Patience Jonathan

  • SERAP: National Assembly’s order on Patience Jonathan’s accounts illegal

    SERAP: National Assembly’s order on Patience Jonathan’s accounts illegal

    A RIGHTS group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has criticised some committees of the National Assembly for directing some banks to allow ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan access to her accounts, which were frozen over alleged corruption.

    SERAP said the directives, which were made in September by the House of Representatives and repeated last week by the Senate, were unconstitutional.

    Its deputy director, Timothy Adewale, described the lawmakers’ action “as a tool for checkmating the country’s justice system, especially the prosecution of grand corruption”.

    The National Assembly, it said, was usurping the powers of the executive and judiciary.

    It urged Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara to “urgently withdraw” the directives.

    “Rather than helping Mrs. Jonathan’s desire to achieve justice for what she may consider to be violations of her human rights, such directives are doing exactly the opposite and politicising the criminal justice process,” SERAP said.

    The Senate had last week decided that Mrs. Jonathan’s accounts should be unfrozen, saying that some of the accounts in seven banks were frozen based on administrative lapses.

    It claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) used the banks to close the accounts without due process of law.

    But, according to SERAP, “Nigerians are concerned about their lawmakers’ thirst for power and about the National Assembly aggrandising its legislative powers without sufficient checks and constitutional scrutiny and validity.

    “The National Assembly ought to focus the exercise of its legislative powers solely on making laws for the peace, order and good government of our country, addressing only matters of prime national concern, and when necessary, checking the excesses of the executive branch.”

    It said the directives will destroy public confidence that the National Assembly will “change its ways” and embrace the rule of law.

    “These kinds of interventions by the National Assembly could portray our lawmakers in the eyes of Nigerians as forgetting what they are in Abuja to do,” the group added.

    SERAP urged the lawmakers to advise Mrs. Jonathan to seek appropriate judicial remedies if she feels the criminal justice mechanisms have violated her human rights.

    It added: “That’s the essence of the rule of law, separation of powers and checks and balances. The supposed directives to banks have unfortunately again put the reputation of the National Assembly at stake.”

    “What Nigerians want and deserve is a balanced sharing of constitutional powers for the sake of the public good, and not ‘imperial National Assembly’, a National Assembly that sits on its throne in Abuja and treats Nigerians as serfs in their fiefdoms.”

    “If the body that makes law also controls its execution, implementation and interpretation, it can effectively tailor the laws to help itself and its friends and hurt its perceived enemies.”

  • 813, 221 square metres of Abuja land allocated to Patience Jonathan in one fell swoop — EFCC

    813, 221 square metres of Abuja land allocated to Patience Jonathan in one fell swoop — EFCC

    Detectives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have discovered that about 813, 221.7272 Square Metres of land were allocated to a former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan,

    In one fell swoop, the ex-First Lady was allegedly  allocated 644,162.11 Square Metres in Idogwari by the Federal Capital Territory  through a proxy firm, AM-PM Global Network Limited.

    The anti-graft agency might seek the forfeiture of the choice plots of land any moment from now in collaboration with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory.

    According to a document obtained by our correspondent revealed that the choice plots were acquired between August 3, 2010 and October 23, 2014.

    The document indicated that the ex-First Lady allegedly secured the plots of land through her  Non-Governmental charity group, Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation  and a company, AM-PM Global Network Limited.

    A breakdown of the plots of land and their sizes are as follows: Plot No. 96, Cadastral Zone D05 of Karsana North(77,176.97 Square Metres); Plot No. 7109 Cadastral Zone E18 Wasa(79,178.15 Square Metres); and  Plot No. 30 Cadastral Zone D03 Idogwari(644,162.11 Square Metres) for AM-PM Global Network Limited.

    The Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation was given  Plot No. 1350, Cadastral Zone A00(Central Area District)—6,110.83 Square Metres; and Plot No. 1758, Cadastral Zone B06(Mabushi)—6593.66 Square Metres.

    A top source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “The land allocations traced to the ex-First Lady were the highest to any individual in the history of FCT. It has become necessary to let the public be aware of how she got the plots.

    “Initially, when we released the list of the plots, we did not know the magnitude of their sizes until we went through the records and asked experts to verify with our team.

    “We have uncovered that the 644,162.11 Square Metres of  land in Idogwari were allocated to the ex-First Lady under the guise of a Mass-Housing Development Scheme. The same excuse was attributed to similar allocations in Karsana North and Wasa but no mass or affordable housing scheme has taken off.

    “Our detectives have so far been able to establish a fresh case of land grab and abuse of office against the former First Lady. The sizes of the land in the FCT to an individual were shocking. Imagine an NGO being allocated about 12, 704.51 Square Metres.

    “We have initiated moves to seek the forfeiture of the massive plots of land. We will collaborate with all relevant agencies for the seizure.”

    Responding to a question, the top source added that the EFCC was not out to ridicule the former First Lady.

    The source added: “Our detectives have interrogated all those connected with the allocation of the plots of land including those in the Department of Land Administration in FCT and Abuja Geographic Information Systems(AGIS) and they confirmed some abuse by political authority in FCT.

    “The facts are certainly available for all Nigerians to see. There was no justification for conscripting plots of land in Abuja. These plots of land belong to peasants and some innocent Nigerians. We want to retrieve back the plots of land through due legal process.”

    “In fact, one of the records indicated that a plot of land(Plot 60 in Cadastral Zone C00) meant for institutions and research was withdrawn without prejudice and re-allocated to the former First Lady. And the reason given for the revocation was simply tagged: “Discretion by Authority.” So, this investigation is not personal at all.”

    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.”

    Apart from the plots of land, Mrs. Jonathan is being probed in connection with 17 properties in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa.

    Some of the affected assets 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.

    The rest suspected assets in Yenagoa include 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.

    But last week, the ex-First Lady accused the EFCC of witch-hunt .

    She said:  “We understand that the EFCC is desperate to distract Nigerians from the current massive corruption bedeviling the nation, and as such has embarked on propaganda using the name of the former first Lady. This is callous and must stop. If the EFCC has such evidence they should present it to the Senate and House of representatives.

    “One wonders why the EFCC has repeatedly refused to honour the invitation of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to state their case.”

  • Mrs Jonathan stalls EFCC’s plan to confiscate her Abuja properties

    Mrs Jonathan stalls EFCC’s plan to confiscate her Abuja properties

    Plan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to obtain an ex-parte interim forfeiture order in respect of two Abuja properties allegedly owned by former First Lady, Patience Jonathan suffered a setback on Thursday.

    Lawyers to Mrs Jonathan prevented Justice Nmandi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja from hearing the ex-parte motion filed by the EFCC seeking the interim order of forfeiture in relation to the properties located at Plot No. 1960, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama District, and Plot No. 1350, Cadastral Zone A00, in Abuja.

    The court had scheduled the hearing of the motion for yesterday. But lawyers to Mrs Jonathan got wind of the motion before yesterday and promptly filed an application, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the EFCC’s motion.

    At the mention of the case on Thursday, EFCC’s lawyer, Best Ojukwu announced his appearance and made move to introduce his motion when Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) and Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who ordinarily should not have been heard (being proceedings in respect of an ex-parte motion) informed the court about their motion, challenging the court’s power to hear the EFCC’s motion.

    An argument later ensued between lawyers on both sides on whether or not the proceedings for Thursday could be conducted in view of the motion by Mrs Jonathan.

    Justice Dimgba later intervened and adjourned to November 11 for the hearing of both motions.

    The courtroom was packed full with people, mostly women and their children who came to court to support Mrs Jonathan’s position.

    The EFCC, in its motion, said the properties were said to be held in the name of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, which Mrs Jonathan was said to be one of its “trustees”.

    Beyond the prayer for an order for interim forfeiture of the properties, the EFCC also prayed for, “an order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the property/asset described in the schedule attached herein.”

    It equally  sought “an order authorising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to appoint a competent person(s)/firm to manage the asset/property listed in the schedule herein, temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

    The EFCC hinged its motion on three grounds, to the effect that: “The assets, property in respect of which the relief is sought are a subject matter of investigation, enquiry and examination by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    “There is need to preserve the asset/property mentioned in the schedule above herein pending the conclusion of the investigation and possibly determination of criminal charges that may be instituted against the suspect(s).

    “If there is any transaction on the property by the suspects by way of disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale and alienation or otherwise of the asset or properly described in the schedule herein, it will render nugatory any consequential orders which the court may make if the suspect(s) is/are convicted of the offences alleged against her/them after possible due trial.”

    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Kolawole Mukaila, the EFCC stated that a discreet investigation which commenced in 2016, showed that the plots of land, the subject matter of the case, were allocated to Ariwabai Reachout Foundation, allegedly belonging to Mrs Jonathan and her allies, in 2010 and 2011.

    It noted that the foundation had Mrs Jonathan as one of the trustees and signatories of the account. It also stated that payments, transfers and purchases made from the Foundation’s accounts kept with Diamond Bank and Ecobank were “reasonably suspected to be fraudulent” and “an illegal dissipation of the nation’s resources”.

    Part of the affidavit reads: “That sometimes in 2016 an alleged case of conspiracy and money laundering was received via intelligence report to the office of the Executive Chairman (of EFCC) and referred to my team for investigation.

    “That my team swung into action to conduct a discreet investigation by writing letters to Ecobank, Diamond Bank, Corporate Affairs Commission and the Abuja Geographic Information Systems.

    “That, in the course of the investigation, it was revealed from the responses from the Corporate Affairs Commission and Abuja Geographic Information Systems that the plots of land were allocated to Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation belonging to the former First Lady, Patience Jonathan and her allies. Copies of the response from AGIS and Corporate Affairs Commission are hereby attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1A – 1C respectively.

    “That investigation further reveals the accounts held by Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation had the former First Lady, Patience Jonathan as one of the trustees and signatories of the accounts.

    “Copies of the response from Diamond Bank and Ecobank are hereby attached and marked as Exhibits EFCC 2A – 2B respectively.

    “That investigation also revealed that the plots of land were allocated in 2010 and the Certificate of Occupancy was issued in 2011.

    “That all the above-stated payments/transfers/purchases had no contract award backing it up whatsoever and as such was reasonably suspected to be fraudulent payments and an illegal dissipation of the nation’s resources.”

    In her motion, Mrs Jonathan queried the legitimacy of the motion filed by the EFCC and argued that it was intended to frustrate the outcome of a fundamental rights enforcement suit she filed, but which is pending before another judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Mrs Jonathan, sought “an order of this court striking out the respondent’s ex parte originating summons dated September 20, 2017, filed at the registry of this court honourable court on the same date, on the ground that this honourable court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the said application.”

    She hinged her motion on the ground that “On September 20, 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed an application, which has no parties, described as ‘ex-parte originating summons’ at the registry of this honourable court, praying this court for an order of interim attachment/forfeiture of the assets of the applicant herein located at Plot No. 1960, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama District, and Plot No. 1350, Cadastral Zone A00, both in Abuja, respectively.”

    Mrs Jonathan argued that the said ‘ex parte originating summons’ was not one of the modes of commencement of an action under Order 3, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules) 2009, and that it was not known or provided for by any law or rules of court.

    The ex-First Lady added that motion by the EFCC was “an abuse of court process, as same was filed in order to overreach” her fundamental human rights enforcement suit pending before another judge, Justice John Tsoho of the court in suit marked FHC/ABJ/586/2017.

  • Senators to banks: release Jonathan’s wife’s cash

    Senators to banks: release Jonathan’s wife’s cash

    Senators yesterday directed two commercial banks to unfreeze some accounts belonging to companies linked to former President Jonathan’s wife, Patience.

    The accounts, domiciled with Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC and others, were said to have been frozen on the orders of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The senators, at a hearing by the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, declared that the accounts in question were not encumbered by any legal processes and as such be unfrozen without delay.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, observed that some of the accounts were frozen based on certain administrative lapses.

    The lawmakers described the methods used in freezing the accounts as arbitrary, insisting that the EFCC failed to comply with due process in closing the accounts.

    Officials of the banks who appeared before the Senate panel however said the court order vacating the freezing of the said accounts had not been received by them.

    They however promised to reopen the accounts, based on the information made available by the senators.

    The committee members expressed worry that the banks could freeze accounts based on letters received from the EFCC without valid court orders.

    Also yesterday, the Federal High Court in Lagos was told how a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Gooluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs Dr Waripamo-Owei Dudafa allegedly laundered about N5.1billion for the former president’s wife.

    The EFCC arraigned Dudafa and Iwejuo Joseph Nna (alias Taiwo A. Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah) before Justice Mohammed Idris on 23-counts of conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.

    They are on trial for alleged conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6billion on June 11, 2013, among others.

    Justice Idris adjourned till October 24 for hearing of the application to travel.

    Trial will continue on November 14 and 15.

  • Alleged N2.1b laundering: let my mum rest in peace, Patience Jonathan tells EFCC

    Alleged N2.1b laundering: let my mum rest in peace, Patience Jonathan tells EFCC

    Former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, yesterday denied using her late mother’s firm’s account to launder  N2.114 billion.

    According to her, the company, Magel Resort Limited, was not awarded a N200m IT contract by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    She pleaded with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow her late mum Madam Charity Oba to rest in peace.

    She said the EFCC was engaging in sheer blackmail to tarnish her image.

    On Aruera Reachout Foundation, she said over 700 children had benefited from it, with billions of Naira spent

    The ex-First Lady made the clarifications in a statement through her Chief Press Secretary  Belema Meshack-Hart.

    The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to an article by Punch and the Nation on the 11th of October 2017, alleging that EFCC has traced N2.1bn to the account of Patience’s dead mother. These allegations are spurious, baseless and intended to mislead the public.

    “We wish to state categorically that, the allegations are false and a grand design by EFCC to tarnish the image of the former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan.

    “In their concocted report they claimed that the former first lady is a sole signatory of Magel Resort Limited, a Hotel owned by her late mum Mama Charity Oba. This is untrue as the former first lady had no dealings with the Hotel until the demise of her late mum after which the Hotel was handed over to her with the presentation of the death certificate of her mum.

    “The late mother of the former first lady should be allowed to rest in peace.

    “It was also alleged that N200m IT contract was awarded to Magel Resort Limited , this is a figment of the imagination of EFCC as no such contract was awarded to the company. EFCC must stop this media trial and blackmail aimed at tarnishing the image of the former first Lady and get down to the business of conducting proper investigations.

    “Magel Resort Limited is a very successful company with over 2,000 staff, this is as a result of the hard work and relentless man hours put into it by the late mum of the former first lady who built the company from scratch. It is preposterous to say the least that N2.1bn in its coffers as alleged by EFCC was fraudulently acquired.

    “The EFCC also alleges that N17billion has been traced to the former first lady, we believe this joke by the EFCC has been taken too far, as there is no available evidence to support this baseless claim.

    “To prove her innocence the former first lady has filed N2bn fundamental human rights suit against the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Abuja.”

    The ex-First Lady also faulted EFCC’s claim that she has $12.8million in a domiciliary account in Diamond Bank.

    The statement added: “For avoidance of doubt Mrs Patience Jonathan does not have $12,831,173. domiciled in Diamond bank as alleged by EFCC. Anyone with proof should provide evidence and take advantage of the whistle blower policy. The issue of Skye Bank is in court and we believe in the integrity of the court to handle this case judiciously.

    “The former first lady has never had any dealing with Bureau de Change operators and anyone with counter claims should come out with proof.

    The statement said: “The A. Aruera Reachout Foundation is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation established in 2006 by Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, the Former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The Foundation has a medical unit which sponsors the treatment and surgery of children and some adults with heart conditions.

    “To date, over 700 children have benefited from the A. Aruera Reachout Foundation, this alone cost the foundation billions, it is not news that the logistics involved in the treatment of heart disease cost over N5million per child. This demonstrates the caring and maternal nature of Nigeria’s Former First Lady.

    “ Aruera Reachout Foundation has never been involved in financial crimes or money laundry of any form. All the directors of the NGO are men and women of integrity, highly competent and astute professionals. It is therefore untrue that the former first lady had her domestic servants as directors of the NGO.

    “We understand that the EFCC is desperate to distract Nigerians from the current massive corruption bedevilling the nation, and as such has embarked on propaganda using the name of the former first Lady. This is callous and must stop. If the EFCC has such evidence they should present it to the Senate and House of representatives.

    “One wonders why the EFCC has repeatedly refused to honour the invitation of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to state their case.”

  • Ex-First Lady ‘used mum’s account to launder N2.1b’

    Ex-First Lady ‘used mum’s account to launder N2.1b’

    Former First Lady Patience Jonathan used her mother’s company to launder about N2.114b, according to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives.

    Besides, Magel Resort Limited, which was incorporated by Mrs., Jonathan’s late mother, allegedly secured over N200m IT contract from the National Information Technology Development Agency.

    Many people, including an hotelier in Abuja, also remitted funds into the account.

    Also, uncovered is how some domestic aides of the former First Lady remitted about N5.7billion into the accounts of three firms linked to Mrs. Jonathan.

    As part of the investigation, some Federal Government agencies were found to have remitted funds into the account of Ariwobai Aruera Reach Out Foundation,  her NGO, which has N2,475,784,487.77.

    Detectives put the cash in the two domiciliary accounts of the ex-First Lady at $20,731, 173.

    According to sources in EFCC, the major highlights of the latest investigation of Mrs. Jonathan border on the use of her mum’s firm and domestic aides to launder funds.

    The sources claimed that the ex-First Lady has a case to answer because of the “curious payments” made into more than five accounts linked to her.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation, said: “This is not a case of witch-hunt or vendetta. We have retrieved records of transactions and those concerned. There is a strong case of abuse of office.

    “Nigerians should prevail on Mrs. Jonathan to seek equity with clean hands by subjecting herself to legal process. How did domestic aides come about billions? Why will a resort company secure an IT contract? How did a furniture firm without a fixed address come about N1.140billion?

    “As we investigate the ex-First Lady, our detectives dig out more evidence of alleged money laundering by her between 2009 and 2015.”

    The source gave an insight into the latest findings by detectives on Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

    The source added: “A company owned by Mrs. Jonathan is Magel Resort Ltd. It was incorporated by Mrs. Jonathan’s late mother. But Patience Jonathan became the sole signatory to the account of the company by board resolution upon the demise of her mother.

    “The EFCC is probing the circumstance in which the firm though registered as a resort agency secured over N200m IT contract from the National Information Technology Development Agency.

    “The contract was allegedly funded through the National Information Technology Development Fund.”

    Several other persons under investigation for money laundering by the anti- graft agency were discovered to have made payments into the company’s account.

    Some of them, including a hotelier in central area, Abuja, have been invited for questioning.

    “The total sum allegedly laundered through the account of Magel Resorts Ltd run by Mrs. Jonathan and her late mother is N2.114billion.

    “Also allegedly laundered by the former First Lady through the account of Lawari Furniture and Baths Ltd is N1.140billion. The company’s address is given as 100 Akamfa Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The bulk of the money was deposited by Bureau de Change operators.

    “The BDC operators have already been invited by the EFCC for questioning.

    EFCC sources said that the addresses of most of the companies were discovered to be fictitious as mails sent to them were returned undelivered.

    Ariwobai Aruera Reach Out Foundation, an NGO, was discovered to have various accounts but the principal account is domiciled in Diamond Bank.

    “The commission stumbled on evidence in which several government agencies made payments into the account. A total inflow of N2, 475,784,487.77 was recorded in the account between 2009 and 2015.”

    The source also spoke about the deposits in the domiciliary accounts of the ex-First Lady.

    The source said: “Investigation equally discovered that Mrs. Jonathan maintains a dollar account with Diamond Bank which received huge financial inflow from her domestic aides.

    “Some of the domestic aides that made payments into the accounts are also trustees of her so- called NGO and director in her companies. The balance in the account was $12,831,173.

    “Another dollar account of the former First Lady was discovered in Skye Bank. Inflows into the account came through deposits by domestic aides of Mrs. Jonathan.

    “Intelligence reports indicate that most of the purchase of luxury items by the former First Lady was through the Platinum Card of the account. The total amount in the account is $7.9m.”

    “Also under investigation is how N1.8billion was deposited in the account of Flinchley Top Homes Ltd, a company linked to Mrs. Jonathan, by her domestic aides between 2009 and 2015.

    “Other discoveries are the N2.1billion and N1.8billion deposited into the accounts of AM PM Global Network Ltd and Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd, between 2009 and 2015. Both companies are linked to the former First Lady,” the source said.

  • Senate panel invites seven banks’ MDs over freezing of Patience Jonathan’s accounts

    Senate panel invites seven banks’ MDs over freezing of Patience Jonathan’s accounts

    THE Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has summoned the managing directors of some banks over the freezing of the accounts of former First Lady Patience Jonathan.

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

    The committee’s chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, gave the order at a sitting of his committee yesterday at the hearing of a petition by the former first lady.

    The petition brought on behalf of Mrs. Jonathan by Granville Abibo (SAN) claimed that the EFCC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had at various times “unleashed terror, dehumanising, 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 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 (NGO), The Women for Change Development Initiative, A. Aruera Foundation as well as Finchley Top Homes Ltd and the former first lady’s salary account were frozen, according to the petitioner.

    “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 reads.

    The EFCC chairman was absent at the hearing.

    In a letter sent to the committee, the anti-graft agency said Magu was out of the country and would be back today.

    The committee set tomorrow for the EFCC boss to appear before the committee.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer also informed the committee that his client had resolved her differences with the NDLEA, hence they would like to strike out the agency’s name off the petition before the Senate.

    He also old 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, who is Mrs. Jonathan’s brother.

    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 was the elder brother to Dame Patience Jonathan.”

     

  • Patience Jonathan slams N2bn suit on EFCC

    Patience Jonathan slams N2bn suit on EFCC

    Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed Nov. 16 to hear the N2 billion Fundamental Rights suit brought against the EFCC by Mrs Patience Jonathan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wife of the former president Goodluck Jonathan had filed the suit in June to challenge her alleged incessant harassment by the anti-graft commission.

    At the resumed hearing, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) announced to the court of his readiness to move his client’s application.

    Justice John Tsoho, however, refused to entertain the suit on the grounds that the respondent was not represented in court.

    The suit was brought pursuant to Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009 and Sections 34(1), 36(1), 37, 42 and 44 of 1999 Constitution as amended.

    The applicant is praying for an order for general damages and compensation in the sum of N2billion.

    She averred that the amount would serve as compensation for the violation of her fundamental rights by the commission.

    Mrs Jonathan is also seeking a declaration that her incessant harassments by the EFCC through negative media publications aimed at degrading her person as corrupt had sufficiently violated her rights.

    She alleged that the commission’s malicious campaigns against her were carried out by the respondent without prior invitation to defend herself.

    Mrs Jonathan further averred that the respondent’s actions were not offshoot of her trial and conviction in any courts of competent jurisdiction.

    She said her rights and good public image had been violated under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution as a result of the respondent’s untamed actions.

    She is also seeking a declaration de-freezing all her bank accounts and those of her relatives held down by the EFCC under the guise of investigation of proceeds of crime.

    The applicant averred that the commission had without her invitation and interrogation approached a court to freeze those accounts.

    She is further seeking a declaration that the invasion of her property by the EFCC officers in her absence was a breach of her fundamental right among others.

    The applicant has therefore, asked for an order restraining EFCC, whether by itself, its agents, privies or any person acting on its behalf from further violating the her  fundamental rights.

    The EFCC had seized a multi-million naira hotel allegedly belonging to the wife of ex-president Jonathan.

    The anti-graft agency also seized three other properties in Abuja alleged owned by the applicant.

    Mrs Jonathan first came under EFCC’s search light in May 2016 when the commission arrested a former Special Adviser to the President on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa.

    The applicant laid claim to about 15 million US dollars found in bank accounts allegedly belonging to Dudafa’s domestic servants.

    She had swiftly sued Skye Bank Plc and the EFCC on that account.

    NAN reports that the anti-graft body went ahead to freeze the applicant’s personal account with a balance of 5 million US dollars. (NAN)

  • EFCC persecuting me over 2015 election – Patience Jonathan

    EFCC persecuting me over 2015 election – Patience Jonathan

    Wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, on Thursday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of persecuting her over her “political views” during the campaign for the last presidential election.

    Mrs. Jonathan, who was silent on what her “political views” were, had during the 2015 electioneering campaign described the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, in uncomplimentary terms.

    The former first lady also accused the EFCC of waging “psychological war” against her by persistently intimidating, harassing and threatening her and those around her.

    Mrs. Jonathan gave instances of such harassment and intimidation to include alleged invasion of her properties and the freezing of her accounts, those of her siblings, relative and late mother – Mama Sisi Charity Oba.

    The ex-first Lady made these allegations in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/586/2017, with EFCC as respondent, Mrs. Jonathan accused the anti-graft agency of violating her rights.

    In a supporting affidavit to the suit deposed to by one of her lawyers, Sammie Somiari, she identified some of her frozen accounts to include the five she opened with Skye Bank upon the advice by former Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde.

    On why the accounts were opened, Mrs. Jonathan said because of the challenges of moving huge cash for her foreign treatment, and the need to avoid contravening any law, she approached Lamorde, who advised her to obtain credit cards from her banks.

    Mrs. Jonathan accused the EFCC of demonstrating “pathological dislike” towards her despite the fact that she was never a public office holder.

    She added: “The investigation into the operations of her pet project, when she was First Lady, is an unprecedented act of animosity against her as none of her projects was funded by the government at any level.

    “The respondent had physically raided the homes of the applicant and her relatives both in Abuja and Yenegoa.

    “Recently, the respondent raided the home of the applicant’s first daughter, both at Port-Harcourt and Abuja.

    “The respondent has waged a psychological war on the applicant by its threats of arrest of the applicant and her relations, such as Mrs. Ester Oba, Tamunotonye Oba and her elder brother, Mr. Aseminaso Nyengierefaka.”

  • Patience Jonathan: Reps threaten to arrest Magu for shunning invitation

    Patience Jonathan: Reps threaten to arrest Magu for shunning invitation

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday threatened to issue arrest warrant against the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for shunning the invitation to address its committee on a petition filed by former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

    The Uzoma Nkem-Abonta led House Committee on Public Petition said warrant of arrest would be issued to compel Magu’s appearance on November 7.

    The ex-first lady had petitioned the House over harassment and restriction on her bank accounts and that of her relatives by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, following Magu’s failure to appear at the continued hearing on Wednesday, the Committee said his disregard of the invitation was disrespectful to the parliament.

    “There is a need to say that people should work within the confines of the law because nobody is above the law

    “EFCC has consistently absent itself from this hearing. If it were here, perhaps we would have dispensed with this investigation.

    “What the EFCC is doing is not only unfair but disrespectful to the parliament,” Nkem-Abonta said.

    In addition, the Committee ordered five out of six banks where Jonathan and her relations have accounts to furnish her lawyers with details and relevant document on the restriction from the anti-graft agency and the courts.

    Earlier Jonathan’s representative had complained that only two banks complied with the Committee’s directive on lifting of the restriction.

    According to her counsel, Charles Ogboli, the former first lady was unable to access her accounts despite the Committee’s directive and the vacationing of the restriction order by the Appeal Court.