Alleged Money Laundering: Court Stays Further Proceedings On Patience Jonathan’s $5.8m
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday stayed further proceeding in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of $5.8 million allegedly belonging to the former first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case till September 20 to wait the outcome of an appeal filed by Mrs. Jonathan, challenging an interim order of forfeiture earlier granted by her.
The judge took the decision after counsel to the former first lady, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court that an appeal on the order has been entered at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.
It will be recalled that the judge had on April 26, issued an interim order for forfeiture of the sum of $5.8 million belonging to Jonathan.
The court had made the order after listening to an ex parte application argued by the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, seeking a forfeiture of the sum to government, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
Apart from granting the interim order, the court further directed that same be advertised in a national daily, to enable any interested party to appear and show cause why the interim order should not be made final.
However, on May 18, Mr. Ifedapo Adedipe (SAN), who represented Mrs. Jonathan, argued that he needed more time to file necessary responses to the court’s order, adding that EFCC delayed in publishing the notice of the court’s order in a national newspaper.
He subsequently asked for an adjournment which was granted.
