No out-of-court settlement with Patience Jonathan- EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it is yet to respond to the request of the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, seeking for an out-of-court settlement with the commission.

The commission added that there was no basis for such a request as the issue of plea bargaining usually follow certain procedures from the court, saying that the request must be sanctioned by the court.

A top source within the commission disclosed the development to The Daily Times on Sunday night.

One of the lead lawyers to Mrs. Jonathan, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), had written a letter to the EFCC, seeking for out of court settlement with the commission on behalf of his client.

The source said: “There is no basis for the request. With due respect, we have no out-of-court settlement arrangement with the former First Lady. The lawyer, who wrote the letter knows the proper thing to do.

“Out of court settlement usually flows from the court and the two parties will usually be on the same page while the court will endorse the arrangement in order to resolve the contentious issues.

” You will realise that there are so many cases in this regard and we are ready to prosecute the matters diligently.

“You will also recall that we recently stumbled on more startling information on how Mrs. Jonathan piled up dollar deposits in certain commercial banks, including how she lavished part of the money.

“Besides, the former First Lady has been linked by investigators to huge amount of bank deposits and several choice properties across the country”‘.

When asked whether the commission has replied the letter of the lawyer to Mrs. Jonathan on the option of out-of-court settlement, the source said: “No, the commission is yet to respond to the request. But the commission will soon take necessary action on the matter”.

In a January 30, 2018 letter titled “Proposal for out-of-court settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan,” Mrs. Jonathan informed the EFCC of her intention to settle the matter out-of-court.

The letter reads in part: “As senior lawyer representing Dame (Mrs.) Patience Jonathan (former First Lady) and companies linked to her and some family members, associates, companies and NGOs, we have thought it fit to engage your commission in a discussion over all issues involving her and the commission with a view to having amicable resolution of all cases as stated above.

“This will enable both sides create an atmosphere for mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. We will therefore appreciate it if you can give us an appointment at your earliest convenience to have a discussion over all matters involving her and members of her family.

“We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission and our client. We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection, and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards.”

Some of the assets allegedly linked to Mrs. Jonathan in Port Harcourt include former Customs Service officers mess; two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; 3 Luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel along airport road.

In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House along 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 on Sani Abacha Expressway.

On Monday, a Federal High Court in Lagos adjourned till February 14 to hear a motion in a suit seeking forfeiture of funds linked to the former first lady.

The EFCC had begun fresh moves to seize the funds, including $6.4 million and N7.4 billion, in 15 bank accounts linked to Mrs. Jonathan.

The suit, which was fixed for hearing on Monday, was stalled following the absence of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, who was said to be attending a workshop.