Former 1st Lady $5.8 million Case Adjourned

In granting a temporary forfeiture, the court had adjourned to May 18, 2017 for the respondent to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

Justice Mojisola Olaterogun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos state has fixed September 24, 2017 for hearing in the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking a final forfeiture order on the sum of $5.8 million allegedly belonging to Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the EFCC, the adjournment came following an order by the Court of Appeal on stay of proceedings sought by Jonathan. The court had, on April 26, 2017, ordered an interim forfeiture of the money following an ex-parte motion filed by the EFCC.

A statement by the EFCC said at the last adjourned date, counsel to Jonathan, Ifedapo Adedipe, told the court that he needed more time to file necessary responses to the court’s order. Adedipe further alleged that the EFCC failed to publish the notice of the court’s order in a national newspaper in time.

Mrs Jonathan’s counsel further asked for an adjournment, which was granted by the court. The proceeding could not however continue when the case came up on Monday, May 22 owing to a pending appeal at the court.

While addressing the court, counsel to Patience Jonathan, Mike Ozekhome, said: “The appeal in this matter has been entered and going by Rule 5 of the Court of Appeal rules, this court ceases to exercise jurisdiction to proceed in this matter. “It will amount to an illegal judicial voyage, if this court embarks on the proceedings in this matter.” Responding, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that he was not aware of any hearing notice by the appellate court.

However, Ozekhome showed a copy of the appellate court’s hearing notice to the court. Ruling, Justice Olatoregun said: “As a result of the appeal notice that has been entered, coupled with the hearing notice slated for July 5, I am inclined to grant an adjournment in this matter for parties to ventilate their views in the appellate court.” The matter was adjourned to September 2, 2017.