Court Unfreezes Patience Jonathan’s 16 accounts

-The court unfreezes Patience Jonathan’s accounts as the 90 days ultimatum for EFCC to inspect the bank accounts had lapsed

Court unfreezes Patience Jonathan’s 16 accounts

Six months after temporary freezing, The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered that the 16 frozen bank accounts owned by former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience Jonathan be unfrozen.

The trial judge, Binta Nyako, gave the directive on Tuesday – having frozen the accounts since May 30.

Patience’ accounts were frozen as a result of a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission was given 90 days to carry out its investigation on the said accounts.

Seven of the sad accounts are in Diamond Bank Plc, Five are with Skye Bank Plc, and the rest four accounts are with Union Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Ecobank and Zenith Bank Plc.

However, Justice Nyako reversed the order on grounds of an application filed by Mike Ozekhome, counsel to the ex-first lady, noting that the interim forfeiture of the accounts had lapsed.

Richard Dauda, EFCC lawyer, had in reaction to the application, prayed the court for an extension of the forfeiture order against funds in the 16 bank accounts.

Nyako, having heard both applications, ruled that the forfeiture order could not be extended and asked for the accounts to be unfrozen in favour of Ozekhome.