CourtJustice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday set aside an order of forfeiture of $5.8million, N3.5 billion and 16 separate bank accounts belonging to the wife of former president, Dame Patience Jonathan, her firms and foundation.
In her ruling on an application brought by Mrs. Jonathan, the judge said the interim 90 days of forfeiture had elapsed without the court being convinced by the arguments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for extension.
Specifically, the judge said the order, which was granted on May 30, expired in August and the commission did not file any criminal charge against the owners of the bank accounts which it claimed the source of money found in them was under investigation.
Justice Nyako also ruled that the application filed by the EFCC seeking to extend the expired forfeiture order was like “putting a dead baby on oxygen.”
The judge agreed with counsel to Mrs.
Court sets aside forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s $5.8m, N3.5b to FG
