ANOTHER N2.4BILLION TO BE FORFEITED BY PATIENCE JONATHAN, SUPREME COURT RULES

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the N2.4 billion,   was surreptitiously kept in the bank account of La Wari Furniture and Baths Limited, domiciled with Eco Bank Plc.

Penpushing further reports that, Justice Mojisola Olaterogun had in 2017 ordered the interim forfeiture of the money, and held that anyone interested in it should appear before the court to show cause why it should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

However, Jonathan dissatisfied with the ruling, had approached the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, seeking to upturn the ruling of the lower court,but the Appellate Court, ruling on the appeal on January 12, 2018, in a lead judgment read by Justice Mojeed Owoade, rather upheld the interim forfeiture order.

Penpushing also reports that, the former first lady through her counsel, Mike Ozekhome, (SAN) not satisfied with the ruling of the appellate court, again filed an appeal challenging the ruling before the Supreme Court.

However, the five-man panel of Supreme Court justices has now again in a unanimous ruling, delivered on Friday, March 15, 2019, upheld the interim forfeiture order of the N2.4 billion.

Penpushing recalled  that a five-man panel of Supreme Court justices, had on Friday, March 8, 2019 in a unanimous judgment, also dismissed Patience’s appeal against the interim forfeiture order of a Federal High Court, Lagos, for another $8.4 million traced to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) and believed to be proceeds of illegal activities.