EFCC’S ORDER TO SEIZE PATIENCE JOHNATHAN’S $8.4M, N7.3Bn: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, CALLS FOR PROBE ON ACCOMPLICES- CACOL
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open leadership, CACOL, has commended the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in securing a new order from the Federal High Court, to seize the sum of $8,435,788.84 and over N7.35bn from accounts linked to the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, which the Commission has alleged to be; proceeds from unlawful activities.
It would be recalled that The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has in a previous press release, demanded that the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, explain the sources of her wealth. In the release, the Centre asked for verifiable sources of wealth which she used in building an N10bn hotel in Yenogoa, Bayelsa. CACOL also questioned the source of wealth of the monies found in five bank accounts linked to her.
The Executive Chairman of the Centre, Mr. Debo Adeniran while commending the new development, described the court order as a step in the right direction in fighting against corrupt practices. However, Mr. Adeniran also called for a pervasive probe to help in luminating the true sources of the former First Lady’s wealth as this question have been over-flogged but is yet to be properly addressed.
In expressing the Centre’s point of view on the government effort to holistically eradicate corruption in Nigeria, its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, suggested that, “to efficiently thrive in this war against corruption, we need to take out all the elements responsible for this menace”. He said further that, “confiscating proceeds of alleged loots from publicly exposed persons is not sufficient hence, it is imperative that those involved in the act needs to be given the works, as this would serve as a deterrent to intending defaulters”. Mr. Adeniran explained that several acts of corruptions are done with help from collaborators thus, it is essential to burn the candle at both ends by ensuring that all accomplices are rounded up and adequately punished for whatever roles they play in the crime”.
On transparency, CACOL urged that it is crucial to communicate the proposed disbursement of whatever has been recovered from the corruption culprits to the Nigerian public after diligent prosecution and convictions must have been done with.
Aghagbobi Ikenna
Ag. Media and Publications Officer, CACOL
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