A Federal High Court in Lagos has frozen multiple accounts in five Nigerian banks which allegedly belongs to former First Lady, Patience Johnathan over allegations of money laundering.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun ordered the freezing of the accounts after listening to the application files by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) back in November.
According to the EFCC, the order covers Jonathan’s accounts in Ecobank Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Diamond Bank Plc and Fidelty Bank Plc.
The agency said the request to freeze of the accounts became urgent after it got intelligence report showing the need for an investigation of the accounts.
Justice Olatoregun ordered the EFCC to enter into an undertaking to pay damages to the former First Lady if the allegations are false.
Channels TV reported that one of the accounts, domiciled with Skye Bank Plc has a balance of $5316.66.
Five other companies namely: Finchley Top Homes Ltd, Aribawa Aruera, Magel Resort Ltd, AM-PM Global Network Ltd and Pansy Oil and Gas Ltd were also affected.
Another account affected was Esther Oba who is reported to have a balance of $429,381.87 in her Diamond Bank account while the companies collectively have a balance of N7,418,829,290.94