Dame Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s former first lady, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, over the illegal freezing of accounts amounting to $31.4 million involved in an alleged fraud cases.
The supposed money is placed on a ‘no debit’ order by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In a suit filed at a federal high court on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, is requesting the court for the enforcement of her fundamental rights. The EFCC and Skye Bank Plc were named as defendants in the suit.
A former presidential aide, Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, a former Skye Bank official, Damola Bolodeoku, Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited, all who are allegedly without addresses are in court with the EFCC over the accounts with the funds.
By this lawsuit, Dame Patience Jonathan is claiming ownership of the money. Mrs. Jonathan asked the court to make a declaration that the fund standing to the credit of four of the companies and an account in her own name in Skye Bank belonged to her.
Others also charged include Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services Limited.
Counsel to the first defendant in the charge, Gboyega Oduwole informed the federal high court in Lagos that Mrs. Jonathan had filled a fundamental right application against the EFCC claiming ownership of the frozen money.
She also included in the application that the court should declare that the action of the respondents in placing a No Debit/Freezing Order on the said accounts without any order of a competent court of law or prior notice to her, to be in breach of her fundamental rights as contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
