There is an unfolding drama at the Federal High Court in Lagos, following the hearing of a case bothering on fundamental human rights filed by Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Although the former first lady is not physically in court, her supporters are said to have taken over the court premises, protesting EFCC’s allegation against her.
EFCC Freezes Account
Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan had filed a 200 million Naira fundamental rights enforcement suit against Skye Bank Plc, following the freezing of four bank accounts, which she claims the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had used to inconvenience and embarrass her.
The four accounts, lodged with Skye Bank Plc, are in the name of four companies which is said to have a balance of $31.4m
The four companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited.
In an affidavit filed before the court by one Sammie Somiari, a legal practitioner on behalf of Patience Jonathan, claims that the EFCC placed a No Debit Order on the four accounts in July in the course of probing one Waripamo Dudafa, a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
After its investigations, the EFCC went ahead to file an amended 17-count against Dudafa and seven others, including the four companies, with the defendants being accused of conspiring to conceal the monies which the EFCC claimed they ought to have known formed parts of the proceeds of an unlawful act.
In September, some youth groups in the Niger Delta took to the streets of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, to protest what they call a one sided approach in the fight against corruption.
According to them, the ongoing matter involving the former first lady and EFCC over the monies found in her account to the tune of over 30 million Dollars, has brought the current campaign.
They accused the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting Mrs Jonathan.