A
Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, granted an interim forfeiture order of a
property belonging to former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, who
granted the order, held that it was to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission ( EFCC ) investigate the acquisition of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout
Foundation, a property liked to Mrs Jonathan.
Dimba however held that the
order would elapse after 45 days.
The EFCC had filed an exparte
motion seeking temporary forfeiture of some properties allegedly belonging to
Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation.
The properties are said to be
located at plot 1758, Cadastral Zone, B06 Mabushi and Plot No.1350, Cadastral
Zone, Central Business District, Abuja.
The anti-graft agency also
asked the court for an order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage,
lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the properties.
“An order authorizing the
EFCC to appoint competent person(s)/firm to manage the asset/property listed in
the schedule herein, temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending
the conclusion of investigation.”
The agency said application
was predicated on the fact that the property was a subject matter of
investigation, inquiry and examination.
The judge in his ruling on
the exparte motion, granted the EFCC a 45-day of grace period within which to
investigate whether the property was acquired by Jonathan with proceeds of
crime.
“I
have carefully considered the processes filed. I have also carefully considered
the arguments.
“Accordingly, a period of 45
days is accorded to the EFCC to investigate whether the properties in question
were acquired with the proceeds of crime.”
The judge also dismissed the
motion challenging the originating summons.
Patience Jonathan’s counsel,
Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in his reaction to the court’s ruling, said it was a
well considered judgment.
“We did not lose; we won,’’
he said.
“What the EFCC wanted was for
the property in dispute to be attached and forfeited to the government but the
court refused, instead, gave them 45 days to further investigate and prosecute
if they so wish with liberty to apply for renewal,” he said.
NAN
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