Presiding Judge, Justice Salihu Saidu fixed the date after the EFCC filed a notice of preliminary objection.
Lawyer to the EFCC, Kayode Oni in the notice is challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
But counsel to Patience Jonathan, Granville Abibo who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria faulted the notice of the EFCC telling the court that late response of the anti-graft agency is a tactic to delay the matter.
Speaking with newsmen outside the court room, Abibo SAN said they are in court to stop the EFCC from intimidating the wife of the former President.
According to him, “You are aware that Mrs. Jonathan has always tried to be law abiding despite being harassed and intimidated by the media trials.
“The court being the last hope of the Command man that is why we have come to court. But you know in court the other party has the right to reply but the matter has just be adjourned because of EFCC because they just brought a notice to court today which we need to respond.
“For us we have put the facts on the table truthfully. The EFCC took the first shot by freezing her accounts but they have refused to stop there. They have also gone ahead to take other unecessary actions which we feel is violating her rights.”
Meanwhile, a group of protesters have stormed the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in solidarity of the former First Lady.
The protesters including market women, men and youths chanted anti-government songs against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Some of those who spoke with newsmen accused the Federal Government of using its agencies to embarrass Patience Jonathan.
One Wilcox said, “We are not happy that we are in court because of a case concerning our own mother. The mother of peace.
“As Ijaw people were are not happy that our own sister after serving this country has continued to be humiliated by this government. For the past two years since this government took over they have not allowed Jonathan and his wife to rest. They have been going after anybody that is close to Jonathan.
“This our mother of peace who made sure there is no bloodshed in this country is being treated anyhow. The peace that ECOWAS paid millions of dollars to get in Gambia was given to this country for free but they won’t appreciate it.
“We are here to let the Federal government know that we will not standby and watch them treat our mother anyhow.”
Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had granted an order to the EFCC to freeze the account of Patience Jonathan who is being investigated for money laundering and other financial crimes. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Foolish people who will continue to be impoverished bcos they have lost values. A woman who cannot account for how she amassed over $30m is ur mother. Those monies are simply d future of your children.
ReplyDeleteUseless Rivers people, stealling is in all of you people blood. Fucking thief people.
ReplyDelete