Court orders interim forfeiture of multi-billion naira properties linked to Patience Jonathan

The Federal Government has temporarily taken over two properties linked to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, ordered the interim forfeiture of the houses to the Federal Government pending the completion of the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In an ex parte application filed in September 2017, the EFCC had prayed for an interim forfeiture of the properties on the grounds that they were subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation.

The properties are located at Plot No.1960, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama District; and Plot No.1350, Cadastral Zone A00, both in Abuja, and said to be held in the name of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, of which Mrs. Jonathan is alleged to be a “trustees.”

The trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, ruling on the matter on Monday said that Mrs. Jonathan’s objection to the EFCC application lacked merit.

Sacking the objection of the respondent, the court granted the prayer of the EFCC, but said that the house must only be forfeited for 45 days.

According to the trial judge, within the 45 days, the anti-graft agency must conclude its investigations and charge the suspects being investigated in respect of the alleged crimes linked to properties.

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He went further to say that the EFCC was free to file an application for the extension of the life span of the order before the expiration of the initial 45 days.

Justice Dimgba added that should the EFCC officials have any reason to access the properties within the period of interim forfeiture, that they must do so in the company of the respondents.

He then ordered that the inventory of the fixtures in the properties and a report to that effect be submitted to the court.

 

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