A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted interim forfeiture order to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in respect of two properties belonging to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on Monday ordered that the order is for an initial 45 days within which EFCC is to conclude their investigation in the matter.
The EFCC, through its counsel, Benjamin Mangi, had filed an ex-parte application seeking the forfeiture of the houses at: Plot No.1758, Cadastral Zone, B06 Mabushi; and Plot No.1350, Cadastral Zone, A00 Central Business District, Abuja pending the conclusion of its investigation.
However, Patience Jonathan’s lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN), brought an application seeking to stop the forfeiture on the grounds that the properties were subject matter of another suit filed by EFCC before same Federal High Court in Abuja.
He said the ground being relied on by the EFCC for the forfeiture of the houses belonging to Ariwaba Aruera Reachout Foundation which Mrs Jonathan is the promoter, is not valid in law.
The lawyer also said that it was illogical for the EFCC to state that the Foundation has not done any contract to raise fund for the building of the houses.
Ozekhome had informed the court of the demolition of portions of the houses by agents of the Federal Government while the matter was pending in court.
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