The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected the settlement out of court proposal of former First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan regarding the deposition of $11,489,069.03 found in her domiciliary account.
The anti-graft agency told the ex-First Lady to plea bargain in court in accordance with the rules that everyone must follow. EFFC said the plea bargain will be acknowledged in which the court is conveyed along. The EFCC said it has not been able to trace about 29 of the 31 individuals and companies which made the controversial deposits which suggested that the some of the depositors are “fictitious”.
A source, who spoke in confidence, 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.”
The source said the EFCC would soon make its position known to Mrs. Jonathan counsel. “As an officer in the Temple of Justice, we know that the respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) will guide the ex-First Lady accordingly,” he said.
