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.
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