$11.489m Controversy: EFCC Rejects Patience Jonathan’s Out-Of-Court Settlement

Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan’s request to settle out of court the controversial payment of $11,489,069.03 into her domiciliary accounts has been rejected.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has directed that Mrs. Jonathan to appear before a court by entering into a plea bargain in accordance with Nigeria’s laws, stating that it would only accept a plea bargain in which the court is carried along.

Detectives of the commission are yet to track down about 29 of the 31 persons and firms which facilitated the controversial deposits.

The anti-graft agency maintains that an out-of-court settlement indicates a dispute between two parties.

According to The Nation, an undisclosed source revealed that “We have considered the January 30, 2018 letter by Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan; we are of the opinion that  her  offer of out-of-court settlement is strange and confounding as if there is a dispute between her and the EFCC.

“We are certainly rejecting the offer from the ex-First Lady because the EFCC does not engage in such a deal.

“But we prefer the ex-First Lady approaching a court for plea bargain in line with the relevant laws if she is ready to settle all issues. The terms of the plea bargain will be open to all parties before the court.

“I think she should emulate other high profile suspects who went to the court for plea bargain. We are ready to apply the laws in the interest of justice for all. We won’t oppose plea bargain.”

The source said the EFCC would soon make its position known to Mrs Jonathan counsel. “As an officer in the Temple of Justice, we know that the respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) will guide the ex-First Lady accordingly,” he said.