$15m Frozen Cash: Patience Jonathan Drags Nigeria To International Court

Ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan has taken the battle against EFCC beyond the shores of Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is soon to be dragged to the African Commission of Human and Peoples Right in Gambia by former first lady, Mrs Patience Ibifaka Jonathan.

Sources close to Patience Jonathan’s legal team said they took the decision to seek legal redress in a court free from manipulation.

According to Daily Sun, a new group, The Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB) has thrown its weight behind the decision to drag the EFCC before the African Commission of Human and Peopless Right over its case Mrs Jonathan.

The group, in statement by its spokesman, Chima “Phillip Effiong” Osuji, condemned what it called the “the undue harassment and campaign of calumny masterminded by the EFCC against Patience Jonathan.”

The group insisted Mrs Jonathan “cannot get fair trial in a Nigerian court commended and Mr Timipa Jenkins Okonipere for his decision to drag the EFCC before the West African Court.

“TRIPOB believes that under the current political dispensation in Nigeria, Mrs. Jonathan cannot obtain fair and impartial judgment.

Furthermore, by virtue of the enviable political height which the Goodluck Jonathan family has attained, it would be most advisable if Mrs Jonathan goes outside for relief because, we strongly believe that, there is a premeditated plot to humiliate and disgrace the former First Lady.”

“We therefore commend international lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Timipa Jenkins Okponipere for the wise decision to drag the EFCC before the African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights based in Banjul, The Gambia, if the EFCC failed to stop the harassment of Mrs. Jonathan within 14 days.

It is a welcome decision.” Accordingly, TRIPOB advises the Goodluck Jonathan Family to “remain calm and put their trust in God Almighty; as they shall surely be vindicated.”

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to invite the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, after freezing her personal account with a balance of $5m as well as four other accounts linked to her with a balance of $15.6m.

Sources at the EFCC told Sunday Punch that detectives had visited the bank where the accounts were opened and had obtained the files containing Patience’s information.

The detectives have been able to establish a prima facie case of money laundering and forgery against Patience.