Patience Jonathan Likely To Loose N10bn hotel to FG Over $20m accounts
Nigeria's former firstlady Dame Patience Jonathan, may likely loose a N10bn hotel reportedly belonging to her to the Federal Government, if she proves unable to justify how she came about some huge amounts allegedly traced to her accounts. The Ex-firstlay may have to answer as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continues investigation into the $20m found in five accounts she has laid claim to.
The Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
The avant-garde hotel, which is known as Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, Yenagoa, was inaugurated by Patience in April 2015, barely a month before the end of her husband’s tenure. On the authority of the UK business newspaper, The Financial Times, the hotel, which has imported state-of-the-art furniture, can compete with other luxury hotels in developed countries.
The report dated April 21, 2015,read in part, “The Aridolf Hotel in Yenagoa is an unlikely monument to kitsch on a reclaimed swamp in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta. In the lobby, Louis XIV furniture is accompanied by bowls of plastic fruit, faux Dutch landscapes and a grotesquely gaudy chandelier. The hotel is redolent of the riches on display in a region that for half a century has generated the bulk of Nigeria’s wealth.
“The Aridolf, which is owned by Patience Jonathan, wife of the former President, is symptomatic of how superficial progress has been in addressing the festering sense of marginalisation in the region, which remains desperately impoverished despite benefiting from a tide of petrodollars in recent years.”
Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption,disclosed that the EFCC had the right to probe whosoever found to be living above his or her means. While stating that anybody, who failed to do so, could risk forfeiture of properties believed to have been obtained through stolen funds or could lose funds traced to him or her.
Sagay, wondered how Patience, who was a civil servant and never held any government position, could have billions in her bank accounts.
In his words: “The EFCC and ICPC Acts have provisions under which they can ask the court to freeze the account of a person if a person’s capacity to earn is below the amount of money that the person appears to have.
“If you are living a lavish lifestyle and it appears you don’t have the means to have acquired the property and the wealth you have, the EFCC is free to probe you.”
Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption,disclosed that the EFCC had the right to probe whosoever found to be living above his or her means. While stating that anybody, who failed to do so, could risk forfeiture of properties believed to have been obtained through stolen funds or could lose funds traced to him or her.
Sagay, wondered how Patience, who was a civil servant and never held any government position, could have billions in her bank accounts.
In his words: “The EFCC and ICPC Acts have provisions under which they can ask the court to freeze the account of a person if a person’s capacity to earn is below the amount of money that the person appears to have.
“If you are living a lavish lifestyle and it appears you don’t have the means to have acquired the property and the wealth you have, the EFCC is free to probe you.”
On the flip side, Patience Jonathan recently sued Skye Bank and the EFCC for freezing four company accounts which have a balance of $15m.
Be that as it may, reports has it that the former first lady also has another account with the title, ‘Patience Ibifaka Jonathan’ which has a balance of $5m. The account is, however, still active.
The hotel in question is simplay a state of the arts edifice with cosy ambience. The interiors are completey of the chain. Oyibo things!!!!
Be that as it may, reports has it that the former first lady also has another account with the title, ‘Patience Ibifaka Jonathan’ which has a balance of $5m. The account is, however, still active.
The hotel in question is simplay a state of the arts edifice with cosy ambience. The interiors are completey of the chain. Oyibo things!!!!
See more photos from the Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, Yenagoa:
