The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seems to be out to get Patience Jonathan as an out of court settlement offer by the former first lady was knocked off by the anti-graft commission.
The issue seems to have stemmed from what has been described as a ‘strange’ payment of of $11,489,069.03 into her domiciliary accounts.
The EFCC has now asked that for any deal to be looked on favourably, it would have to be with the court’s blessing and this means an official plea bargain.
The EFCC’s suspicions were heightened after it was discovered that 29 of the 31 companies that made payments into Dame Patience Jonathan’s accounts could not be traced.
It is believed that these companies are fictitious in nature.
According to the Nation, a source at the EFCC 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.”
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