The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following the discovery of a total of $31.4 million in five Skye Bank Plc accounts linked to the former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has uncovered more luxury properties belonging to her.
The EFCC investigators who were initially probing the connection between the ex-first lady and five choice buildings, including a N5 billion hotel in Abuja, have discovered seven additional properties.
According to sources within the EFCC, investigators were in Port Harcourt, Rivers state and in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State through the week investigating the link between the ex-first lady and the four properties believed to be owned by her in the two cities.
The investigation however took a new turn when EFCC operatives stumbled upon additional seven luxury properties including the former Customs Service officers mess in Port Harcourt and a plot of land under construction.
Other properties uncovered in Port Harcourt are: two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; three Luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel on Airport road.
Asides the Port Harcourt assets, the EFCC operatives further uncovered two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House on Sani Abacha Expressway; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo Road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness and Spa along Sani Abacha Expressway, all in Yenagoa.
Sources within the EFCC disclosed that its investigation has so far led to the recovery of N1 billion and a total of 24 convictions which might prompt the EFCC to invoke the Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 if the properties were found to her hers.
A source within the EFCC said: “The ex-First Lady is allegedly linked with the acquisition of the former Customs Service Officers mess in Port-Harcourt.
“We also identified three luxury apartments of four-bedroom each believed to be owned by Mrs. Jonathan. The apartments are tastefully furnished with the state of the art accessories.
“After verification of these assets and completion of our investigation, we may seek the order of the court to place the affected assets under Interim Forfeiture.
“Permission will be sought to ask the ex-First Lady to explain some of the sources of her wealth in line with Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act.
“As a First Lady, there was no appropriation for her office and she was not on salary.”