A Federal High Court Lagos, Wednesday, adjourned until May 24, a
suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
seeking final forfeiture of about 8.4 million dollars, and
N7.4billion found in accounts linked to a former first Lady,
Patience Jonathan.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun adjourned the suit for continuation
of affidavit evidence, after defence counsel informed the court
that it required time to look at a counter affidavit served on it
by the EFCC
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC had
secured an interim order for forefeture of the sums on April 20,
2018, before Olatoregun, following a motion exparte.
It joined as respondents: Patience Jonathan, Globus Integrated
Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd,
Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd and Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba.
On Oct. 29, 2018, EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had moved his
motion for final forfeiture of the sums, urging that same be
finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, defence counsel, Messrs Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Chief
Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and Mr Ige Asemudara had respectively moved
their processes in opposition to the motion for final
forfeiture.
On Jan. 15, the court had admitted electronic evidences
presented by respondent counsel, which depicted video exhibits
showing various business outfits of Finchley Top Homes Ltd. and
Magel Resort Ltd.
The court had then adjourned for judgment.
In a judgment delivered on Feb. 28, the court had held that it
finds the affidavit evidences conflicting, adding that same can
only be resolved by oral evidences of parties.
The court had then ordered parties to call their witnesses.
At the last adjourned date, an EFCC witness, Mr Orji Chukwuma
had concluded evidence before the court, while the court had
adjourned for continuation of evidence.
When the case was called on Wednesday, Oyedepo informed the
court that he filed a counter affidavit which he had served on the
defence, adding that he was ready to proceed.
Meanwhile, defence counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) confirmed
service of the counter affidavit but added that there were new
facts deposed in same, which he required time to look and respond
to.
He, therefore, sought an adjournment which was not opposed by
other counsel.
The court consequently adjourned until May 24 for continuation
of trial.
Evidence will now continue on the next adjourned date.
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