A drama unfolded this morning at the Federal High Court in Lagos, as it heard a case bothering on fundamental human rights filed by Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of Nigeria’s immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Supporters of the former first lady created a scene, taking over the court premises and protesting EFCC’s allegations against her.

Dame Patience Jonathan, who was not physically in court, had filed a N200 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against Skye Bank Plc, following the freezing of four bank accounts, which she claims EFCC had used to inconvenience and embarrass her.

The four accounts, lodged with Skye Bank Plc, are in the name of four companies which is said to have a balance of $31.4m. The four companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited.

An affidavit filed before the court by one Sammie Somiari, a legal practitioner on behalf of Patience Jonathan, claims that the EFCC placed a No Debit Order on the four accounts in July in the course of probing one Waripamo Dudafa, a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

After its investigations, EFCC went ahead to file an amended 17-count against Dudafa and seven others, including the four companies, with the defendants being accused of conspiring to conceal the monies which the EFCC claimed they ought to have known formed parts of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

•Adapted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows Dame Patience Jonathan.

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