Former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s bid to settle out of court
the brewing dispute over the strange payment of $11,489,069.03 into her
domiciliary accounts has been rejected.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the
ex-First Lady to come before a court by entering into a plea bargain in
line with the laws of the land.
The agency said it would only accept a plea bargain in which the
court is carried along. Also, EFCC detectives have not been able to
trace about 29 of the 31 individuals and companies which made the
controversial deposits.
The development has fuelled speculations that some of the
depositors are “fictitious”. Some of the shops where the ex-First Lady
visited are said to have offered to give details of how much was spent
and the items bought.
The EFCC believes that an out-of-court settlement suggests that
there is a dispute between two parties. A source, who spoke in
confidence, said: “We have considered the January 30, 2018 letter by
Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan; we are of the opinion that her
offer of out-of-court settlement is strange and confounding as if there
is a dispute between her and the EFCC.
“We are certainly rejecting the offer from the ex-First Lady because the EFCC does not engage in such a deal.
“But we prefer the ex-First Lady approaching a court for plea
bargain in line with the relevant laws if she is ready to settle all
issues. The terms of the plea bargain will be open to all parties before
the court.
“I think she should emulate other high profile suspects who
went to the court for plea bargain. We are ready to apply the laws in
the interest of justice for all. We won’t oppose plea bargain.”
The source said the EFCC would soon make its position known to Mrs Jonathan counsel.
“As an officer in the Temple of Justice, we know that the respected
Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) will guide the ex-First Lady
accordingly,” he said