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
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.- The Nation
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