Again, Court Temporarily Forfeits $8.4m, N9.2bn Linked to Patience Jonathan

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered that the sum of $8,435,789.84 million and N9,185,327,362 billion, linked to the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan and six others be temporarily forfeited to the federal government.

The monies were said to be in custody of Skye Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, and Stabic-IBTC and First Bank Plc.

Joined as respondents alongside Mrs. Jonathan in the suit marked FHC/L/ CS/620/2018, are: Globus Integrated Service Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM-PM Global Network Limited, Pagmat Oil and Gas Limited, and Magel Resort Limited, and one Esther Oba.

The court presided over by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had on April 14, struck out the same application, for being abuse of court processes.

However, the court ordered that the monies be temporarily forfeited to the federal government, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 19, refiled the application on the grounds that it has consolidated all other suits of the same subject matter and parties.

Consequently, Justice Olatoregun, granted the order for temporary forfeiture of the monies, after being satisfied with the EFCC’s application before the court.

After granting the EFCC’s application, Justice Olatoregun ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in The Punch or any national newspaper, within 14 days, so that any persons who have interest in the monies should show cause while the monies should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The matter has been adjourned till Friday, for further hearing.