Court Orders Investigation of Alleged Demolition of Patience Jonathan's Property

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered investigation into alleged demolition of a property in Abuja, said to be connected to Patience, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The property, an uncompleted structure, located on Shehu Yar’Adua Way along Mabushi-Kado Life Camp expressway, Abuja, was said to have been demolished by agents of the federal government despite the contention of the actual owner before a court of law.

The trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba ordered the investigation yesterday following complaint by Mike Ozekhome (SAN), counsel to the former First Lady, that a property owned by a group, A. Aruera Reachout Foundation/Women For Change and Development Initiative, and connected with her, had been demolished by an agency of the government.

The sitting was meant for the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by counsel to Mrs Jonathan, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, challenging jurisdiction of the court to entertain an exparte motion brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. 

As proceedings were about to commence Ozekhome raised the issue of the alleged demolition.

He said the property,  to which the application by the EFCC and his relate, has been demolished by an agency of the government.

Ozekhome said it was unfortunate that the government had resorted to self help rather than allow the court to resolve issues brought before it.

The senior counsel presented documentary evidence containing video recordings and pictures of the demolition. He also brought out some newspapers, which he said contained reports of the demolition.

Responding, EFCC's counsel, Benjamin Manji, denied knowledge of such development.

Manji claimed he was hearing the issue of demolition for the first time. "If that is true, it is certainly not by us. Our mandate is clear, it does not include demolition.We need to confirm if the property is still in existence before we can proceed with our application for temporary forfeiture", he said.

Ozekhome said he agrees that the state of the property be ascertained first before further steps could be taken on the case.

He said he will also utilise the time to file a proper affidavit, exhibiting the video recording, pictures and newspaper publications of the demolition.

The trial judge, while noting that the court cannot act in vein, said it is necessary for the court to be certain that the property has not been destroyed, so that the court should not engage in an academic exercise.

 "I will adjourn for the claim that the property has been demolished to be ascertained to enable the court know what proper steps should be taken", he said and adjourned to February 26 for the report of the probe and possible hearing of the applications filed by parties.