Court To Rule On N2.4bn, $5.78m Allegedly Linked To Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan

October 7, 2021 has been fixed for the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos to hear a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to concretize the forfeiture of N2.42billion and $5.78million linked to Patience Jonathan, former First Lady of Nigeria.

The date was fixed by Justice T. G. Ringim on Monday after argument by counsels.

The EFCC had filed an ex-parte application before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun for the forfeiture of the funds in Skye Bank Plc and Ecobank Plc.

Justice Olatoregun ordered the temporary forfeiture of the money in April, 2017.

Jonathan and other respondents, LA Wari Furniture and Bathes, opposed and approached the Court of Appeal and later the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling.

But they lost as the courts affirmed the order of Justice Olatoregun.

The judge retired from the Bench in 2019 and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court re-assigned the case to Justice Chuka Obiozor.

However, Justice Obiozor could not preside before his transfer to the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo narrated the matter to Justice Ringim
and prayed for final forfeiture.

Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) and Gboyega Oyewole (SAN) appeared for Patience Jonathan.

Counsel to the companies, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) urged the court to adjourn, adding that he was preparing to file an application challenging the constitutionality of the suit.

Justice Ringim held that the nature of the proceedings was special and cannot be truncated by any application.

“This court will adjourn for the hearing of the motion for final forfeiture that is pending.

“The second respondent is, hereby, ordered to file the application, if any, within 14 days from today, and the plaintiff will have one week to respond”, he said.