The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused to order the forfeiture of $15.5million found in the accounts of companies belonging to a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa.
Justice Babs Kuewumi convicted the companies after a review of the facts of the case by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) lawyer Mr Oyedepo Rotimi.
The companies, on September 15, pleaded guilty to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5billion) when they were arraigned.Following the companies’ conviction, Rotimi prayed the court to order the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.
But, the judge said he would hand down a sentence on the companies after the trial of the others who pleaded not guilty in the charge.
Justice Kuewumi said:
“The ownership issue is still pending. There’s also a pending suit on the matter.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, is claiming the monies in the companies’ accounts as hers.
Justice Kuewumi adjourned until December 14 for trial.
The Nation
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