Judge’s absence stalls Patience Jonathan’s 7.4bn temporary forfeiture

THE absence of the trial Judge on Monday stalled the hearing of EFCC’s seeking the forfeiture of $6.4m and over N7.4bn linked to the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused Patience Jonathan of concealing the money in 15 banks.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun according to the court registrar was said to be attending a workshop

The case was consequently adjourned till February 14 for hearing.

Recall that the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, had brought an exparte application seeking for a temporary forfeiture of the funds.

The move was, however, interrupted by Patience lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), who challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the application.

He told the court that the funds on which the EFCC sought forfeiture order were already subject of a pending litigation.

Oyedepo had maintained that the Senior Advocate had no right of audience in the court since his application was ex parte (without notice to other parties).

He said he wondered how the SAN got wind of the application by the anti-graft agency in the first place and urged the court to disregard his appearance.

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The court upheld Oyedepo’s submission.

In the said ex parte application, the EFCC listed Patience Jonathan and one Esther Oba as respondents.