BAN made the allegation against the backdrop of the freezing of Mrs Patience Jonathan’s account by the Ecomomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Recall that the anti-graft agency had recently confirmed that Mrs Jonathan is being investigated for money laundering,but no case has been instituted against her in any court in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world yet.
The Commission, took a step further within the week in its going investigations by freezing her personal account in Skye Bank Plc, titled ‘Patience Ibifaka Jonathan.’
However, the group in an open letter said the anti-graft agency is yet to substantiate its claim of money laundering against the former First Lady.
The letter was signed by the group’s division leaders in Nigeria, Northern Division Leader, Hassan Musa Abd’l ; Southern, Ojugbo Clifford; Eastern, Igwechi Chukwuka; Western, Kunle Coker, on Thursday.
The letter reads, “it is a clear fabrication by the EFCC and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria to inspire an unwholesome campaign and media trial against her and by effect, her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who has been living a quiet and peaceful life since he conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“EFCC is yet to substantiate the allegations of money laundering, which have led to an unprecedented opprobrium and damaging public spectacle of the former first family. It claimed that Mrs Jonathan never claimed ownership of any $ 31 million.
“Mrs Jonathan’s claims ownership of the monies lodged in 4 accounts in the name of Pluto Property and Investment Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services limited all lodged in Skye Bank, but not the ownership of the said companies.
“Her claim of the monies in the said accounts is based on instructions and monies given to an aide, Mr. Waripamo Dudafa, to open card-bearing accounts for her and her dependants use, especially during foreign trips for medical and related ancillary matters, rather than the recourse to the use of cash. The said instruction was carried out by Mr. Dudafa but with companies allegedly belonging to him.
“The cumulative value of the monies in the four accounts that Mrs. Jonathan claims is less that ten million dollars (below $10 million), the report credited to the EFCC that the monies were in excess of $30 million is completely false, malicious and misleading.The EFCC is challenged to provide public evidence of its claim of $31 million lodged in Skye Bank The group also asked Skype bank to openly and officially clarify on the raging controversies.
“We are left with the reasonable conclusion that authorities within the bank, if not the entire establishment, is compromised to rubbish and undermine the reputation of the Jonathans. This further raises questions on the integrity of bank’s business principles against the protection its customers no matter how lowly or highly placed they are in society.
“By its conspiratorial silence on the matter with its attendant damaging effect on the reputation of the Jonathans, Skye Bank has not only compromised its fidelity to its customers but its very brand and integrity. If Mrs. Jonathan can be conspired against by the bank, which customer is protected? BAN described the case as victimization and political witch-hunt with the complete cooperation of Skye Bank.
“The conspiracy is further heightened by the action of the EFCC in producing fake directors of the said companies, unknown to known Secretaries, to plead guilty just to nail the Jonathans. Never in the history of the country has an agency with such high stake, act like a criminal syndicate rather than an agency saddled with the critical duty of tackling corruption.
“To this end, we are compelled, given the dangerous dimensions of this conspiratorial matter and many others of its kind targeted at either the Jonathans or associates of theirs, to draw the attention of the Federal Government that Nigerians will not sacrifice Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his entire concerns, on the altar of vindictive politics.”
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