COURT ORDERS FORFEITURE OF PATIENCE JONATHAN’S PROPERTIES

“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.

“The applicant is at liberty to apply for a renewal of the order on cause, provided that such an application to be valid is made before the expiry of the 45 days validity period granted by the court.