Patience Jonathan permanently forfeits N12 billion to Nigerian government

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered the permanent seizure by the Nigerian government of $8.4 million. (about N3billion) and N9.2 billion, belonging to Patience Jonathan, wife of former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun granted the application of the EFCC for the forfeiture and ruled that the money was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The judge held that Mrs Jonathan could not prove that the money was legitimately earned, in what is surely a big triumph for the EFCC.

Justice Olatoregun subsequently ordered the forfeiture of the sums totalling N9.2 billion and $8.4million to the federal government.

Mrs Jonathan’s husband, before becoming Nigeria’s president, was Bayelsa deputy governor, governor, and vice president. He became president in 2010 following the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.