Worried by the continued investigation of her financial dealings and that of her associates by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), wife of the immediate past president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has petitioned the House of Representatives to save her from the hands of the anti-graft agency.
This is just as Speaker Yakubu Dogara has referred the petition to the House Committee on Public Petition led by Hon. Nkem Uzoma-Abonta (PDP, Abia) for immediate legislative action.
In the petition, which was presented to the House at yesterday’s plenary by Hon. Lovette Idisi (PDP, Delta), the former first lady alleged that she is being “incessantly harassed” by the commission.
While submitting the petition, Idisi said, according to section 36 of the 1999 constitution as amended, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“This petition is in line with section 36 where every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the legislator said. Continuing, the lawmaker said: “Mr. Speaker, the constant harassment of the former first lady is a petition emanating from her that was sent to my office. With the leave of the House, I seek your permission to lay the petition before the house.”
The EFCC had frozen four other company accounts with a balance of $15 million. The accounts were linked to a former special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on domestic affairs, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa.
Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till January 18, 2017, hearing in a suit by Mrs. Jonathan, seeking enforcement of her fundamental rights.
Jonathan had instituted the fundamental rights suit against the EFCC, claiming the sum of $200 million as damages for inconveniences suffered. In her suit, she also joined Skye Bank Plc, and Dudafa as respondents.
A similar suit before another judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi has also been fixed for hearing on December 14.
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