May 19, 2010
Nigerians the world over are raising furrowed eyebrows over the departure, last night, of Mrs. Patience Jonathan, reportedly for Dubai. It is her second visit to the United Arab Emirates, where many wealthy people now shop for expensive luxury items; the first was recently, while her husband was serving as “Acting President.” A source said she would be leaving for Lebanon from Dubai, and that she is known to be interested in buying gold jewelry.
Nigerians the world over are raising furrowed eyebrows over the departure, last night, of Mrs. Patience Jonathan, reportedly for Dubai. It is her second visit to the United Arab Emirates, where many wealthy people now shop for expensive luxury items; the first was recently, while her husband was serving as “Acting President.” A source said she would be leaving for Lebanon from Dubai, and that she is known to be interested in buying gold jewelry.
Presidency officials are warily staying away from the sensitive subject of why the new First Lady, who has two money-laundering scandals against her that have yet to be resolved, seems to have discovered a new taste for the Emirates. One presidency official who requested anonymity described the trip as a “private visit” to Lebanon, not Dubai.
“This is the strangest of visits for Mrs. Jonathan,” a political analyst told Saharareporters in Abuja. “To begin with, this woman has a legal record and she surely must know that the days of a quiet private visit for her are over. Second, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife died on an operating table in a foreign capital; is Mrs. Jonathan visiting a foreign doctor? Third, her husband’s predecessor just passed away. Are these not reasons why someone in her position should be thinking of a low, low profile only weeks after her husband assumed the presidency?”
In August 2006, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized the sum of N104 million from one Mrs. Nancy Ebere Nwosu, an associate of Patience Jonathan. Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court gave EFCC the legal backing to retain the N104 million seized from Mrs. Jonathan and her associate. Weeks later, in September, the EFCC seized $13.5 million dollars from Mrs. Jonathan, and announced that the seizure followed Mrs. Jonathan’s attempt to launder the money through an associate. At that time, her husband held sway as Governor of Bayelsa State.
Those cases were never discharged, as her husband became vice-presidential candidate, and then vice-president. His assuming the presidency and affirming his readiness to combat graft in the country has had many Nigerians wondering whether he will handle the case concerning his wife with nepotism. Today, as word spread she had left for Dubai, tongues began to wag.
“Nigeria’s first Lady Dame Patience Jonathan may have unknowingly re-opened her money laundering case pending before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by her present trip to Dubai,” the website “destinationnigeria.wordpress.com” commented this afternoon. “Now many Nigerians are wondering what her mission to Dubai at this time of their presidency could be.” At the site, many Nigerians are commenting on the visit, many of them harshly.
Under Yar’Adua, Mrs. Jonathan was largely subdued, as Hajia took control of the presidency, sidelining Mr. Jonathan who was Yar’Adua’s deputy. Since the death of Yar’Adua two weeks ago, Mrs. Jonathan has unveiled a high profile presence, flagging off events and making speeches.
Interestingly, Dubai authorities last week detained a high profile money launderer, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who is now awaiting court hearing for possible extradition to the UK. It is not clear if Mrs. Jonathan would meet with Ibori during her visit to the UAE.
Mrs. Jonathan left for Dubai last night on an Emirates flight after a presidential jet dropped her off in Lagos. She is being accompanied on her trip by Mrs. Bola Shagaya.
Presidency officials are warily staying away from the sensitive subject of why the new First Lady, who has two money-laundering scandals against her that have yet to be resolved, seems to have discovered a new taste for the Emirates. One presidency official who requested anonymity described the trip as a “private visit” to Lebanon, not Dubai.
“This is the strangest of visits for Mrs. Jonathan,” a political analyst told Saharareporters in Abuja. “To begin with, this woman has a legal record and she surely must know that the days of a quiet private visit for her are over. Second, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife died on an operating table in a foreign capital; is Mrs. Jonathan visiting a foreign doctor? Third, her husband’s predecessor just passed away. Are these not reasons why someone in her position should be thinking of a low, low profile only weeks after her husband assumed the presidency?”
In August 2006, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized the sum of N104 million from one Mrs. Nancy Ebere Nwosu, an associate of Patience Jonathan. Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court gave EFCC the legal backing to retain the N104 million seized from Mrs. Jonathan and her associate. Weeks later, in September, the EFCC seized $13.5 million dollars from Mrs. Jonathan, and announced that the seizure followed Mrs. Jonathan’s attempt to launder the money through an associate. At that time, her husband held sway as Governor of Bayelsa State.
Those cases were never discharged, as her husband became vice-presidential candidate, and then vice-president. His assuming the presidency and affirming his readiness to combat graft in the country has had many Nigerians wondering whether he will handle the case concerning his wife with nepotism. Today, as word spread she had left for Dubai, tongues began to wag.
“Nigeria’s first Lady Dame Patience Jonathan may have unknowingly re-opened her money laundering case pending before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by her present trip to Dubai,” the website “destinationnigeria.wordpress.com” commented this afternoon. “Now many Nigerians are wondering what her mission to Dubai at this time of their presidency could be.” At the site, many Nigerians are commenting on the visit, many of them harshly.
Under Yar’Adua, Mrs. Jonathan was largely subdued, as Hajia took control of the presidency, sidelining Mr. Jonathan who was Yar’Adua’s deputy. Since the death of Yar’Adua two weeks ago, Mrs. Jonathan has unveiled a high profile presence, flagging off events and making speeches.
Interestingly, Dubai authorities last week detained a high profile money launderer, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who is now awaiting court hearing for possible extradition to the UK. It is not clear if Mrs. Jonathan would meet with Ibori during her visit to the UAE.
Mrs. Jonathan left for Dubai last night on an Emirates flight after a presidential jet dropped her off in Lagos. She is being accompanied on her trip by Mrs. Bola Shagaya.
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