By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Nigeria on Wednesday, adjourned until May 24, for continuation of evidence in a suit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking final forfeiture of about 8.4 million dollars, and N7.4 billion found in accounts linked to a former first Lady, Patience Jonathan.
The trial judge adjourned the suit for continuation of affidavit evidence, after defence counsel informed the court that he required time to look at a counter affidavit served on him by the EFCC.
TheNiche had reported that the EFCC had secured an interim order for forfeiture of the sums on April 20, 2018, before Olatoregun, following a motion exparte.
The anti-graft agency joined Patience Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd, Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba as respondents.
Recall that on October 29, 2018, EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had moved his motion for final forfeiture of the sums, urging that same be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
But defence counsel, Messrs Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and Mr Ige Asemudara had moved their processes respectively in opposition to the motion for final forfeiture.
On January 15, the court admitted electronic evidences presented by respondents’ counsel, which depicted video exhibits showing various business outfits of the third and sixth respondents.
After the showing of the video clips in the open court then, the judge had then adjourned the forfeiture suit for judgement.In a judgment delivered on February 28, the court had held that it finds the affidavit evidences conflicting, adding that same can only be resolved by oral evidences of parties.
Consequently, the court then ordered parties to call their witnesses.At the last adjourned date, an EFCC witness, Mr Orji Chukwuma concluded evidence before the court, and the court adjourned for continuation of evidence.
When the case was called on Wednesday, Oyedepo informed the court that he filed a counter affidavit which he had served on the defence, adding that he was ready to proceed.
Nevertheless, defence counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) confirmed service of the counter affidavit but added that there were new facts deposed in same, which he required time to look and respond to.
He, therefore, sought an adjournment which was not opposed by other counsel.The court consequently adjourned until May 24 for continuation of trial. Giving of evidence will continue on the next adjourned date.