Nigeria News: We Will Prosecute and Jail You If Your Are Guilty – EFCC Warns Patience Jonathan

Ibrahim Magu who is the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has promised Patience Jonathan she would be investigated for the $15,591,700 she claimed belonged to her. The anti-graft agency had placed restriction on the an account which the former first lady later claimed to be hers.

The Guardian reports that the account is being fingered as one of those involved in an alleged fraud case before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos but Mrs Jonathan’s counsel, Gboyega Oduwole has filed a case before the court, informing that his client is unhappy with the EFCC over the recent move to freeze the account.

 Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, an ex-presidential aide; Damola Bolodeoku, a former Skye Bank official; Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited had all been charged to court over their individual involvement in the fraudulent activities with companies without address.

The Punch reports that Magu who spoke on Tuesday, September 20 promised that anyone guilty of money laundering will not go scot-free regardless of status. He said: “We are on it (Patience’s $15,591,700). You see, we work for the long-term. We must complete our preliminary investigations before we come out. We will not spare anybody. We cannot protect anyone form answering to the people.

“Determination is key. I believe we will go a long way. Our tomorrow is better than our today.” The EFCC boss also promised to deal with bank officials who helped to perpetuate financial crime. He said: “The banking sector is creating a fertile ground for corruption. It was as if the banks told the looters, go and steal and I will hide it for you. This must stop. We will zoom in on the banks. We need to stop them from creating an enabling environment for corruption to thrive.”

 A week ago, in a letter through her lawyer, Sammie Somiari, the former first lady explained to Magu that she was a law-abiding citizen and used the account to pay for her medical bills and personal expenses. “It is noteworthy to emphasise that the said accounts, which were in US dollar denomination, were card-based accounts and our client is the sole signatory to these accounts.

“Our client has been operating the said accounts using the cards for her medical bill payments and purchases for her private purposes without any let or hindrance. “Our client was therefore surprised when the said cards stop functioning on July 7, 2016, or thereabout. Our client immediately, thereupon, contacted Skye Bank Plc through our solicitors. ‘‘It was only then that the bank officials informed our client that the said accounts were placed on a ‘No Debit Order’ following investigations and instruction from your commission and this is without notice to our client by either the bank or the commission.