Efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to see that the $15.5 million they found in the accounts of companies owned by a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa was forfeited were rebuffed by the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday as the court refused to order its forfeiture
But Justice Babs Kuewumi convicted the companies after a review of the facts of the case by EFFC lawyer, Mr Oyedepo Rotimi.
The companies, on September 15, pleaded guilty to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5billion) when they were arraigned.
They are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, is claiming the monies in the companies’ accounts as hers.
Following the companies’ conviction, Rotimi prayed the court to order the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.
“Having found them guilty, the court should make a consequential order that the money should be forfeited to the Federal Government,” he said.
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.”
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