The former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan may lose a N10bn hotel in Bayelsa which allegedly belongs to her to the federal government if she is unable to provide a suitable explanation to the $20m traced to her account.
According to the Punch, an EFCC source said, “This is one of the questions she may have to answer as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continues investigation into the $20m found in five accounts she has laid claim to.”
Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa which is the name of the hotel was inaugurated by the first lady in April 2015.
The UK newspaper Financial times compared the hotel with other standard ones in other more developed countries with the furniture and other things all imported.
According to the Punch, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay said investigations into Patience Jonathan’s accounts were justified as the EFCC had the right to investigate anyone deemed to be living above their means. He also noted that Patience Jonathan was a civil servant and as far as anyone knew never held political office.
“The EFCC and ICPC Acts have provisions under which they can ask the court to freeze the account of a person if a person’s capacity to earn is below the amount of money that the person appears to have.” He said
“If you are living a lavish lifestyle and it appears you don’t have the means to have acquired the property and the wealth you have, the EFCC is free to probe you.”
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