$15.5m: Court hears motion on 5 firms linked to Jonathan

Justice Babs Kuewumi of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on December 12, hear a motion seeking to set aside the conviction of four firms allegedly used to launder $15.5 million belonging to a former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
The motion was filed by a lawyer, Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs, who is standing trial alongside Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and one, Adedamola Bolodeoku, for allegedly concealing the total sum of $15,591,700.00 which they knew formed part of the proceed of an unlawful act, through various banks in Nigeria.
The four firms pleaded guilty to laundering the money upon their arraignment alongside the trio by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The firms; Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company, pleaded guilty through their representatives.
They were represented by Friday Davies, Agbor Baro, Dioghowori Frederick and Taiwo Ebenezer respectively.
The four firms were later convicted on the alleged offence following the review of the facts of the case by the prosecution.
Drawing the court’s attention to the application challenging the firms’ conviction yesterday, Briggs’ lawyer, Ige Asemudara, said he has responded to a counter affidavit filed by the EFCC to challenge the application.
He urged the court to hear the application and determine it one way or the other before proceeding to trial, saying his client’s case was “intricately connected” with those of the four firms.
Responding, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the hearing of the application should not stall trial in the matter. He was of the view that court’s ruling can be delivered at the end of trial in line with the provisions of Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.