Former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan has claimed that her
foundation Aruera Reachout Foundation, spent over N3.5bn for the
treatment of 700 children and adults with heart-related ailments.
She, therefore, thumbed down the allegations by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission that she used her foundation to launder
stolen funds.
Patience, who is the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said
this in a statement by her Chief Press Secretary, Belema Meshack-Hart,
on Thursday.
Mrs. Jonathan said her foundation “is a non-governmental established in 2006.”
The statement added, “Till date, over 700 children have benefited
from the Aruera Reachout Foundation, this alone cost the foundation
billions, it is not news that the logistics involved in the treatment of
heart disease cost over N5m per child.
“This demonstrates the caring and maternal nature of Nigeria’s former
first lady. God has used her as an instrument to positively touch the
lives of some of our nation’s sick children, to make them healthy and
happy through the appropriate medical intervention, it is now strange
and sad that the EFCC will allege that such foundation only existed to
launder funds.
“The many sick children that would have died but now live a happy
life will stand as testament against the baseless propaganda and
shameless allegation of the EFCC. It is worthy of note that the
foundation which is duly registered by the CAC is free to receive
donations from reputable individuals and organisations for its projects
just like any other NGO.”
Patience also rejected the ownership of a $12m account in Diamond Bank, which the EFCC allegedly traced to her.
The statement read in part, “For avoidance of doubt Mrs. Patience
Jonathan does not have $12,831,173 domiciled in Diamond Bank as alleged
by the EFCC. Anyone with proof should provide evidence and take
advantage of the whistle-blower policy.”
The former first lady also berated the EFCC for saying it had traced N2.1bn to Magel Resort Ltd., a hotel owned by her late mum, Mama Charity Oba.
Patience added, “The former first lady had no dealings with the hotel
until the demise of her late mum after which the hotel was handed over
to her with the presentation of the death certificate of her mum.
“This can be confirmed by Zenith Bank. Mrs. Patience Jonathan does
not own Magel Resort Ltd. neither did she open the hotels account with
Zenith Bank. The late mother of the former first lady should be allowed
to rest in peace.”