Four companies linked to the alleged money laundering case
involving Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan,
pleaded guilty to the offence at a federal high court in Lagos on Thursday.
The
companies – Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited;
Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and
Investment Company Limited and Development Company Limited – pleaded
guilty to conspiring to launder $15 million.
Directors of the companies are domestic workers of Waripamowei Dudafa, Jonathan’s special adviser on domestic affairs.
Patience had allegedly directed him to use the money to open accounts for her in Skye Bank.
The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 15-count charge
against the companies and Dudafa, Amajuoyi Briggs, a lawyer; and Damola
Bolodeoku, a Skye Bank official.
While the companies pleaded guilty, the individual maintained their innocence.
Patience has since admitted ownership of the money, saying it is meant for her foreign medical bills and other private expenses.
In
a letter which her lawyers wrote to the anti-graft agency, the former
first lady said she was the sole signatory to the accounts.
The EFCC had frozen the accounts, saying it found that “this was a clear case of fraud”.
But
in her letter, Patience said she had been operating the accounts in the
past without hindrance and was shocked to find she could not use her
cards on July 7, 2016.
Related News:Unfreeze my $15m account, Dame Patience begs EFCC
Related News:Unfreeze my $15m account, Dame Patience begs EFCC
Source:thecable
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