Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, appears to be tired of
fighting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in court and
has asked for an out-of-court settlement.
In a January 30, 2018 letter, titled “Proposal for out-of-Court
Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience
Jonathan,” Mr. Jonathan told the EFCC of her intention to settle
the matter, the News Agency of Nigeria reported Tuesday.
The letter, which was written by her counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe,
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.”
The news agency, NAN, said the letter came as EFCC stumbled on
more startling information on how Mrs. Jonathan piled up dollar
deposits in Skye and First banks, including how she lavished part
of the money.
The former first lady has been linked by investigators to huge
amount of bank deposits and several choice properties across the
country.
According to NAN, 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.
On Monday, a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court adjourned
till February 14 to hear a motion in a suit seeking forfeiture of
funds linked to the former first lady.
The EFCC had begun fresh moves to seize the funds, including
$6.4 million and N7.4 billion, in 15 bank accounts linked to Mrs.
Jonathan.
The suit, which was fixed for hearing on Monday, was stalled
following the absence of the judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, who was
said to be attending a workshop.
Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, appears to be tired of
fighting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in court and
has asked for an out-of-court settlement.
In a January 30, 2018 letter, titled “Proposal for out-of-Court
Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience
Jonathan,” Mr. Jonathan told the EFCC of her intention to settle
the matter, the News Agency of Nigeria reported Tuesday.
The letter, which was written by her counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe,
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.”
The news agency, NAN, said the letter came as EFCC stumbled on
more startling information on how Mrs. Jonathan piled up dollar
deposits in Skye and First banks, including how she lavished part
of the money.
The former first lady has been linked by investigators to huge
amount of bank deposits and several choice properties across the
country.
According to NAN, 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.
On Monday, a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court adjourned
till February 14 to hear a motion in a suit seeking forfeiture of
funds linked to the former first lady.
The EFCC had begun fresh moves to seize the funds, including
$6.4 million and N7.4 billion, in 15 bank accounts linked to Mrs.
Jonathan.
The suit, which was fixed for hearing on Monday, was stalled
following the absence of the judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, who was
said to be attending a workshop.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/patience-jonathan-wants-out-of-court-settlement-with-efcc/