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Abuja Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s Properties

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba siting at the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the interim forfeiture of two properties belonging to Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has in an ex parte application asked Justice Dimgba to dismissed the former first lady’s claims to the properties. 

EFCC argued that Mrs. Jonathan’s argument lacked merit and hence be disregarded. 

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Justice Dimgba, however, ordered the anti-graft commission to conclude its investigation within 45 days 

EFCC through its lawyer, has told the court that the commission is investigating criminal activities linked to the properties. 

But, the judge also said that the EFCC was at liberty to file an application for the extension of the lifespan of the order before the expiration of the initial 45 days.

He also ordered that if for any reason EFCC’s officials needed to access the properties within the period of interim forfeiture, they must do so with the respondents in attendance.

He also ordered that the inventory of the fixtures in the properties and a report must be submitted to the court.

The properties located in Abuja are said to be held in the name of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, which Mrs Jonathan is said to be one of its “trustees.”

The EFCC had, in an ex parte application filed in September last year, asked for an interim forfeiture of the properties, which it claimed were subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation.