Report has it from unnamed sources working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that the anti-graft agency has been mandated by unseen hands in the Presidency, to impoverish the former President, Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Dame Patience.
Post-Nigeria learnt that this came against the backdrop of trying to whittle down the financial muzzle of the former President, ahead of the 2019 general elections, since an outright arrest may spark up massive violent protest.
The latest of such scheme as learnt by Post-Nigeria, is the EFCC’s application on Wednesday, for the final forfeiture of choice properties, allegedly owned by the former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
The anti-graft Commission, is asking the court to compel the agencies with the titles in Bayelsa and Rivers States, to release the properties.
The assets in Bayelsa, are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA, by Isaac Boro Expressway; a Glass House on Sani Abacha Expressway; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo Road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness and Spa, on Sani Abacha Expressway.
Others in Port Harcourt are: former Customs Service Officers Mess; two duplexes at 2/3, Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; 3 Luxury apartments of four-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel on Airport Road.
The EFCC might consider non-conviction options, to recover suspicious assets allegedly traced to the ex-First Lady, it was learnt.
A source who spoke in confidence, said: “Investigations into the assets traced to the ex-First Lady, have been completed.
What is left, is retrieving the land titles of these suspicious assets. But some land registries are not cooperating with us.
“We cannot allow these assets to continue to deteriorate. Very soon, we will apply for the final forfeiture of the affected assets – in line with our mandate. We will apply to the court for the final forfeiture of the assets, to give room for those who own the properties to come forward. We want to put the assets into public use, like we have done in some cases of those implicated in the $2.1 billion arms deals.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “Acting on orders from above, some Officers in the Ministry of Lands in Rivers State, have been blocking the EFCC’s access to vital documents.
“If they continue, we will take action against such Officers, for obstructing this agency from doing its work.
“We have made them to realise that by virtue of Section 7 of the EFCC Act , these Officers are expected to cooperate with us.”
Section 7 of the EFCC Act states: “The Commission has power to; (a) cause any investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body, or organisation, has committed any offence under this Act, or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.
“(b) cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the Commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”
