SERAP demands prosecution of Patience Jonathan over $15m
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami ( SAN), a seven- day ultimatum to prosecute Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of former president, Goodluck Jonathan, over $15m said to have been frozen in four companies’ accounts.
The organization yesterday said Mr Malami should take the step within seven days of receiving its letter on the subject, failing which SERAP would institute legal proceedings on the matter.
The letter dated September 13, 2016 signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “Mrs Jonathan is a politically exposed person under anti-corruption standards. She is also covered under the definition of ‘public officials’ contained in the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Under article 2 of the convention, public officials include Mrs Jonathan or any other family members of the former President Goodluck Jonathan who exercised official duties while he was president.”
SERAP Mrs Jonathan had admitted that the four accounts belong to her and that she is the sole signatory to these accounts. The four accounts in which Mrs Jonathan’s $15m was lodged are said to belong to the following companies: Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited. Mrs Jonathan was given a platinum card and exclusive access to the accounts.”
“According to reports, a houseboy, a driver and other domestic workers of a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, were named as directors,” the letter said.
Pursuing prosecution in this case, according to SERAP, would help to provide adequate reparation, which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition to victims of corruption who continue to be denied their right to an effective remedy.
Also while commenting on this development in a telephone chat with Daily Trust yesterday, Barrister Chinonye Edmund Obiagwu, the National Coordinator, Legal Defence and Assistance Project, (an NGO engaged in the legal protection of human rights ), said LEDAP does not believe in isolated fight against corruption.
According to him, anybody found culpable of corruption whether big or smal, wife of a former president or other persons should be prosecuted if found wanting. He stressed that the law should take its course, adding that the federal government does not need civil society organisations to tell them who to prosecute, once they have any evidence against such suspects.
“There should be no sacred cows, for any politically exposed persons even from the ruling party.”