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Tag: Patience Jonathan

  • Patience Jonathan stops EFCC’s move to seize Abuja property

    Former first lady Patience Jonathan yesterday temporarily stopped the Federal High Court in Abuja from hearing an ex parte application filed by the EFCC.

    The anti-graft agency is seeking an order of interim forfeiture of two properties traced to the wife of former president Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

    The former first lady’s lawyers, according to reports, filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the ex parte motion.

    They were reported to have filed the motion after getting wind of the fact that the EFCC’s ex parte motion was to be heard by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on Thursday.

    Justice Dimgba then adjourned the hearing until November 11 after the back-and-forth arguments between EFCC’s and Jonathan’s legal teams.

  • I spent N3.5bn for treatment of over 700 children, adults suffering heart diseases – Patience Jonathan

    Mrs. Patience Jonathan says her foundation Aruera Reachout Foundation, spent over N3.5bn for the treatment of 700 children and adults with heart-related ailments.

    She, therefore, rubbished allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that she used her foundation to launder stolen funds.

    Patience, who is the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said this in a statement by her Chief Press Secretary, Belema Meshack-Hart, on Thursday.

    Mrs. Jonathan said her foundation “is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation established in 2006.”

    She said the foundation had a medical unit which sponsors the treatment and surgery of children and some adults with heart conditions.

    The statement added, “Till date, over 700 children have benefited from the Aruera Reachout Foundation, this alone cost the foundation billions, it is not news that the logistics involved in the treatment of heart disease cost over N5m per child.

    “This demonstrates the caring and maternal nature of Nigeria’s former first lady. God has used her as an instrument to positively touch the lives of some of our nation’s sick children, to make them healthy and happy through the appropriate medical intervention, it is now strange and sad that the EFCC will allege that such foundation only existed to launder funds.

    “The many sick children that would have died but now live a happy life will stand as testament against the baseless propaganda and shameless allegation of the EFCC. It is worthy of note that the foundation which is duly registered by the CAC is free to receive donations from reputable individuals and organisations for its projects just like any other NGO.”

    Patience also rejected the ownership of a $12m account in Diamond Bank which the EFCC allegedly traced to her.

    The statement read in part, “For avoidance of doubt Mrs. Patience Jonathan does not have $12,831,173 domiciled in Diamond Bank as alleged by the EFCC. Anyone with proof should provide evidence and take advantage of the whistle-blower policy.”

    The former first lady also berated the EFCC for saying it had traced N2.1bn to Magel Resort Ltd., a hotel owned by her late mum, Mama Charity Oba.

    She urged the EFCC to let her late mother rest in peace.

    Patience added, “The former first lady had no dealings with the hotel until the demise of her late mum after which the hotel was handed over to her with the presentation of the death certificate of her mum.

    “This can be confirmed by Zenith Bank. Mrs. Patience Jonathan does not own Magel Resort Ltd. neither did she open the hotels account with Zenith Bank. The late mother of the former first lady should be allowed to rest in peace.”

  • Senate summons Magu, seven bank MDs over freezing of Patience Jonathan’s account

    The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Monday summoned acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu and the Managing Directors of seven banks over the freezing of the accounts of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The Senate is inviting seven banks Managing Directors at a time when the case is also being considered in the House of Representatives by the same committee.

    Those banks summoned by the Senate panel are Zenith Bank, First Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic-IBTC, Diamond Bank and Skye Banks.

    The committee, headed by Senator Sam Anyanwu, issued the summons at the hearing of a petition by the former First Lady.

    According to the petition submitted for consideration on behalf of Jonathan by Granville Abibo (SAN), the former first lady complained that both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have at different times “unleashed terror, dehumanizing, degrading and despicable treatment” on herself and her blood relations without justification.

    The accounts in question in which the former first lady’s funds are trapped include that of companies Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development Investment Company and Transocean Property and Investment Limited.

    Also, the account of her NON-Governmental Organisation, The Women for Change Development Initiative, and A. Aruera Foundation as well as Finchley Top Homes Limited and the former Fist Lady’s salary account were frozen, the Senators were told.

    “The accounts of her siblings, Innocent Nyegerefaka, Mohammed Oba and Esther Oba have all been frozen by EFCC without an court order, all because they are blood relations of Dame Patience Jonathan,” the petition further reads.
    Anyanwu, who issued the summons, insisted that the Managing Directors must appear in person as no representative would be accepted.

    But the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was absent from the hearing.
    In a letter sent to the committee, the agency said Magu was out of the country and would be returning on Tuesday (today).

    The committee therefore set Wednesday for Magu’s appearance.

    This was even as Patience Jonathan’s counsel informed the committee that they have resolved their differences with the NDLEA and hence would like to strike its name off the petition before the Senate.

    But the counsel to Patience Jonathan, Charles Ogboli, while speaking before the committee said the former first lady’s accounts and that of her relatives were frozen without any court order by the EFCC, adding that this culminated in the death of Lazarus Eware, a brother to Mrs. Jonathan.

    Ogboli said: “The immediate elder brother to Patience Jonathan, Mr. Lazarus Eware, died as a result of unfortunate maltreatment of him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as he could no longer cope in the face of this repeated humiliation terror attack and financial handicap.

    “He could no longer meet up with the responsibilities of his family, including children’s school fees and medical bills.

    “As we speak, his lifeless is still lying in a mortuary yet to be buried.

    “The only offence said to have been committed by him is that he is the elder brother to Dame Patience Jonathan.”

  • Patience Jonathan arrogant, flamboyant – Ex-US Ambassador, Campbell

    A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell has noted that the immediate past First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, was being “arrogant” and “flamboyant.”

    In a piece he wrote at the weekend, entitled, “Nigerian President Buhari’s Sisyphean Efforts,” and posted on Council on Foreign Relations’ website, Campbell also questioned Patience’s wealth having spent most of her life as a civil servant.

    The ex-US envoy said, “Patience Jonathan as the first lady was flamboyant, arrogant, and widely disliked. She has yet to be convicted of a crime.

    “However , it is curious how a person who spent most of her career in public service could accumulate an acknowledged $ 35 million in a poor country.”

    Patience Jonathan is currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and four bank accounts belonging to her have been frozen, while some property belonging to her have also been seized.

    Recently, Patience accused the EFCC of waging a “psychological war” against her for supporting Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015.

    Speaking further, Campbell noted that “There is pushback against President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, especially among the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    “Some claim that Buhari is using the EFCC to go after his political enemies. In the predominately Christian parts of the country, there are also murmurs that the anti-corruption campaign is part of a Muslim effort against Christians.

    “The Committee on Public Petitions in the House of Representatives has issued a warrant for the arrest of Magu(EFCC boss) because of his failure to appear before them with respect to a petition by Patience Jonathan.

    The committee’s move appears to be led by southern, Christian, PDP representatives.”

    According to him, there was a tradition in Nigeria of presidents using the EFCC and other anti- corruption agencies against their political enemies.

    “While it is true that under President Buhari, most of the high-profile investigations have been of PDP former officials in the Jonathan administration who are predominately Christian, these people were also, of course, in positions where they could loot public funds.

    “Further, Christians dominated the Jonathan government, though the EFCC has also investigated Sambo Dasuki, Jonathan ’s Muslim national security adviser, who remains under house arrest,”‎ he said.

  • Patience Jonathan: ‘You are not above the law’, Reps tell Magu, threaten arrest

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday threatened to issue arrest warrant against the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for shunning the invitation to address its committee on a petition filed by former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

    The Uzoma Nkem-Abonta led House Committee on Public Petition said warrant of arrest would be issued to compel Magu’s appearance on November 7.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the ex-first lady had petitioned the House over harassment and restriction on her bank accounts and that of her relatives by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, following Magu’s failure to appear at the continued hearing on Wednesday, the Committee said his disregard of the invitation was disrespectful to the parliament.

    “There is a need to say that people should work within the confines of the law because nobody is above the law

    “EFCC has consistently absented itself from this hearing. If it were here, perhaps we would have dispensed with this investigation.

    “What the EFCC is doing is not only unfair but disrespectful to the parliament,” Nkem-Abonta said.

    In addition, the Committee ordered five out of six banks where Jonathan and her relations have accounts to furnish her lawyers with details and relevant document on the restriction from the anti-graft agency and the courts.

    Earlier Jonathan’s representative had complained that only two banks complied with the Committee’s directive on lifting of the restriction.

    According to her counsel, Charles Ogboli, the former first lady was unable to access her accounts despite the Committee’s directive and the vacationing of the restriction order by the Appeal Court.

  • News Hour: EFCC is maliciously after my life, says Patience Jonathan I TNGtv

  • ‘Unfreeze Patience Jonathan’s accounts immediately’ – Reps order First, Union, Eco, other banks

    ‘Unfreeze Patience Jonathan’s accounts immediately’ – Reps order First, Union, Eco, other banks

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed six commercial banks to free accounts operated by former first lady, Patience Jonathan.

    The committee chaired by Rep. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (Abia-PDP), gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja at a hearing on a petition by Jonathan.

    The affected banks are Union Bank, First Bank, EcoBank, Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank and Skye Bank.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had directed the banks to freeze the account over allegations of some irregularities over the sources of the funds.

    Officials of Union Bank, led by a lawyer, Mr Kenneth Otowo, had told the panel that the bank placed Mrs Jonathan’s account under a ‘precautionary restriction’ following a directive by the EFCC.

    “We received a communication from EFCC to put a precautionary restriction on the account. The letter was dated March 21, 2016, so we had to act based on that,’’ he said.

    But, the committee deplored the action, saying that the bank could only take such decision if EFCC proved that it had obtained a court order to that effect.

    “Until EFCC proves otherwise, I’ll ask you to remove the precautionary restriction on the account. Let me tell you, whatever you’ll do, you must follow the law. A bank can’t hold a legal entity to ransom.

    “I want to order all other banks that all the accounts that have no specific pending order from the courts, please release them.’’ the committee chairman said.

    Counsel to EcoBank, Mr Afam Osigwe, said Jonathan’s account could not have been on restriction because there was no court order to that effect.

    He later said that the bank would cross-check its records and get back to the committee.

    As for Diamond Bank, Jonathan’s lawyers said three of her accounts were frozen there.

    However, Mrs Unoma Ndulue, who represented the bank, said two out of the three accounts were fully operative, while one was closed.

    On Fidelity Bank, Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers said they did not have a direct issue with the bank, but that it was through the EFCC.

    Officials of First Bank and Skye Bank were not present at the meeting.

    Meanwhile, the committee has given Mr Ibrahim Magu, the EFCC acting Chairman, up to Oct. 4 to appear before it or have arrest warrant issued against him.

    Similarly, the panel asked Jonathan’s lawyers and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to reconcile their positions on an alleged tax default of over N10 million.

    FIRS had said that Aridolf Resort Wellness and SPA, owned by Mrs Jonathan, failed to pay taxes in spite of serial reminders.

    However, her lawyers insisted that they had paid all their taxes to the agency.

  • News Hour: Again, EFCC traces Abuja posh assets to Patience Jonathan I TNGtv

  • Again, EFCC traces Abuja posh assets to Patience Jonathan

    Again, EFCC traces Abuja posh assets to Patience Jonathan

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has traced two more assets to former First Lady Patience Jonathan, who is being investigated by the Commission for alleged money laundering.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the latest development has brought the number of assets (under investigation) allegedly belonging to the former first lady to 15.

    However, the list does not include the six choice plots traced to her in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The commission said it suspected the assets were allegedly bought through three firms – Ariwabai Aurera Reachout Foundation; Finchley Top Homes Limited; and AM-PM Network Limited.

    The EFCC has initiated moves to seize the assets, which are in Abuja.

    Besides the three firms, the roles played by seven banks in acquiring the assets are also being investigated.

    A Special Task Force is probing the relationship between the three firms and the former First Lady.

    Specifically, detectives are probing how Mrs. Jonathan allegedly used the proxy firms to secure six choice plots in the Central Business District(CBD), Abuja, Wasa District, Idogwari District, Karsana and Mabushi in the FCT.

    The plots are:

    • 1758, Cadastral zone B06, Mabushi, which was allocated to Ariwabai Aurera Reachout Foundation in 2010;
    • 96, Cadastral Zone D05, Karsana, allocated to AM-PM Global Network Limited vide a letter of intent dated 31/05/2012;
    • 7109, Cadastral Zone E10, Wasa District, allocated to AM-PM Global Network Limited vide a letter of intent dated 27/03/2013;
    • 30, Cadasrtal Zone D03, Idogwari District (AM-PM Global Network Limited vide a letter of intent dated 23/10/2014);
    • 1758, Cadastral zone B06, Mabushi (Ariwabai Aurera Reachout Foundation vide a Right of Occupancy in 2010); and
    • 1350 Cadastral Zone A00, Central Business District, which was allocated to Ariwabai Aurera Reach Out Foundation in 2010. The and Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) issued in 2011.

    A source said: “A Special Task Force is looking into how Mrs. Jonathan allegedly laundered huge sums of money into the accounts of three companies. These shell firms were in turn used to acquire some plots of land and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.

    “We have already written to the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) and seven banks linked with the plots of land and the two properties.

    “Apart from the statements of account of the three companies., our team is in touch with Abuja Geographical Information Service(AGIS) for information about some properties linked to the affected firms.”

    The source spoke of how the investigators found that two properties were already being developed, allegedly by the former First Lady on Plot No. 1758 Cadastral zone B06 Mabushi and Plot No. 1350 Cadastral zone A00 Central Business District

    “We discovered that on Plot No. 1758 Cadastral zone B06 Mabushi, which was allocated to Ariwabai Aurera Reachout Foundation in 2010 and C of O issued in 2011, eight mighty buildings are being built. Most people believe it is proposed to be a hotel.

    “Also, Plot No. 1350, Cadastral Zone A00 in Central Business District, currently bears an eight-storey building still under construction. The plot was allocated to Ariwabai Aurera Reachout Foundation in 2010 and C of O issued in 2011.

    “Inference may be drawn from the above, considering the fact that the suspect’s last known official position was Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Government.

    Hence, there is no way such magnificent architectural edifices could have been built within a short space of time as it is the case with the properties in question.”

    The EFCC believes that there is high probability that the property could have been built with proceeds of crime.

    “It is evidently clear that it is a case of money laundering but there is need to do more to prove the predicate of the offence,” the source said, pleading not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation.

    The agency is awaiting responses from banks, CAC and AGIS.

    Besides, it is making efforts to get information about Finchley Homes Limited, its directors and all properties with bank accounts linked to them.

    The source confirmed that the EFCC might “request for the interim forfeiture of the two properties.

    “This is particularly very important because attempt to mark the properties, by operatives, was resisted and even the portion that was successfully marked was later cleared by agents of the suspect,” the source said.

    With the latest bend of investigation, 15 properties and six plots of land have so far been traced to the former First Lady in Port Harcourt, Yenagoa and Abuja.

    Besides the two properties in Abuja, 13 others were previously linked with the ex-First Lady.

    The assets in Port Harcourt are former Customs Service officers mess; two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; three Luxury apartments of four-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel along airport road.

    The rest suspected assets in Yenagoa include two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House on Sani Abacha Expressway, which is housing Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo Road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness and Spa along Sani Abacha Expressway.

     

     

  • News Hour: Patience Jonathan shuns EFCC reopens Abuja hotel I TNGtv

    News Hour: Patience Jonathan shuns EFCC reopens Abuja hotel I TNGtv