An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court yesterday ordered the forfeiture of two properties belonging to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
The court’s decision followed an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the forfeiture of the said properties pending the determination of investigations relating to the said assets.
The EFCC accuses the former First Lady of using the properties for the running of an NGO which the Commission says it found to be fraudulent. The anti-graft agency also asked the court to stop Mrs Jonathan from making any attempt at selling the properties.
The judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, however, gave the Commission 45 days to conclude its investigation and charge Mrs. Jonathan to court. The court also ruled that the EFCC could approach the court to seek an extension of the forfeiture order before the expiration of the 45-day period.
“Having dismissed the motion challenging the ex parte originating summons, I have gone ahead to carefully consider the application along with all the materials placed before the court to support the request for same, which materials have already been listed at the commencement of this ruling.
“In so far as the essence of this application is to preserve an asset pending the completion of an investigation, I am convinced that those materials placed before me, justify a favourable exercise of the court’s discretion to grant the relief sought in the application.
“I hereby accordingly grant Relief 1 and Relief 2 sought. Relief 3 is refused because it is not supported by the grounds of the application and thus unnecessary in the circumstances of the application.
“The order of court granting the Relief shall last only for a period of 45 days within which the applicant must conclude their investigation and file necessary criminal charges where investigation reveals the Commission of a crime.”
The court ruled that a valid application for extension of time can only be brought prior to the expiration of the 45-day ultimatum.
