EFCC Invites Patience Jonathan’s Security Aides over $15M Scandal

EFCC Invites Patience Jonathan’s Security Aides over $15M Scandal

As part of its investigation into the $15m frozen in four accounts belonging to Dame Patience Jonathan, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned some officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), who were attached to the former First Lady for interrogation.

Punch reports that the EFCC on Friday, wrote the DSS requesting the presence of the officials who had, on several occasions, deposited money into some of the accounts in Skye Bank between 2013 and 2015.

“The $15m, which we have frozen in the four company accounts was not paid into the accounts at once. The money was paid into the accounts over a two-year period,” a source said.

“However, we have evidence that it was DSS officials attached to Jonathan’s wife that deposited the money. We have gathered bank documents and we have invited them for interrogation.”

On why the anti-graft agency had yet to invite Mrs. Jonathan for questioning, the source said it was because the commission was trying to build an airtight case against her.

“We will not like to exchange words with her on the pages of newspapers. She says the money belongs to her but she has no evidence to show that she owns the money except the fact that she was given platinum cards to use in withdrawing money.

“Possessing an ATM card of an account that does not bear your name, signature or credentials does not give you the legal right over that account. We froze the accounts as part of investigations into a money laundering case.

“We are still investigating and we may invite her based on the outcome of investigations. We are still trying to build a solid case.”

In her fundamental rights suit against Skye Bank and the EFCC, Mrs. Jonathan, through one Sammie Somiari, claimed she only learnt later on that former adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, opened one of the five accounts in her name while the other four were opened in the names of companies belonging to him.