Patience Jonathan Begs EFCC To Settle Out Of Court

File Photo: Patience Jonathan

Former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan has requested an out of court settlement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the corruption allegations levelled against her.

Mrs Jonathan, according to Vanguard, informed the EFCC of her intention to settle the case in a letter dated January 30, titled, “Proposal for out-of-Court Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan.”

Naija News gathered that the letter was written by her counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), and is being considered by the EFCC.

The letter read, “As senior counsel, representing Dame (Mrs.) Patience Jonathan (former First Lady) and companies linked to her and some family members, associates, companies and NGOs, we have thought it fit to engage your commission in a discussion over all issues involving her and the commission with a view to having amicable resolution of all cases as stated above.

“This will enable both sides create an atmosphere for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. We will therefore appreciate it, if you can give us an appointment at your earliest convenience to have a discussion over all matters involving her and members of her family.

“We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission and our client. We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection, and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards.”

An EFCC source, anonymously told The Nation, “We have received a letter from the ex-First Lady, we are studying it on whether or not to accept the out-of-court settlement or allow justice to take its course.”

However, the EFCC has recently uncovered how the former first lady piled up dollar deposits in Skye and First banks and how she lavished part of the money.

According to The Nation,  the cash came from $11,849,069.03, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said 31 individuals and companies paid into her two domiciliary accounts. The accounts, which are Skye Bank (2110001712) and First Bank (2022648664) had “questionable deposits” between 2013 and 2017.

The Skye Bank account had about $7,452,319.32 lodged in it. Detectives found $4,036,750.00 in the second account with First Bank.

The former first lady allegedly lavished the cash at TFS stores, Selfridges, John Lewis, Kingsgate, Sainsbury’s, Harrods, Marks and Spencer, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gina. She also went on a shopping spree in expensive outlets in the United States, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, UAE, Italy and China.

Mrs Jonathan also blew $28,388.72 at Goyard Beijing in Beijing CN on January 28, 2014 and $13, 069.68 at Hulian Xinguang Beijing CN.

The ex-First Lady is also linked to 12 choice properties and a plot of land on which a building is being built.

The assets are: Former Customs Service officers mess; two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; 3 Luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel along airport road all in Port Harcourt

Also linked to her in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House along Sani Abacha Expressway which is housing Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo Road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness and Spa on Sani Abacha Expressway.