The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, will on November 3, commence the hearing of an appeal lodged by a former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, against the temporary forfeiture of the sum of $5.8 million belonging to her to the Federal Government.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court in Lagos had on April 26, in a ruling on an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gave the directive.
The judge also ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sum of N2,421,953,522.78 found in an Ecobank Nigeria Ltd account number 2022000760 in the name of La Wari Furniture and Baths Limited, which the commission said is linked to the former first lady.
Dissatisfied, the former first lady lodged an appeal against the ruling asking that the order be vacated.
Hearing of the appeal was stalled on July 7, owing to the withdrawal of one of a 3-man panel of judges from the case.
The presiding judge, Justice John Ikyeh, had after lawyers representing parties in the matter had announced their appearances, revealed that a member of the panel had decided to withdraw for personal reasons.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the appellate court granted a prayer by the former first lady seeking to amend her notice of appeal and file additional grounds of appeal.
The court also directed lawyer representing La Wari Furniture and Baths Limited, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) to file a separate notice of appeal for his client within 48 hours.
The order was sequel to the striking out of the name of La Wari Furniture and Baths Limited from the main appeal filed by Mrs Jonathan.
The court had earlier granted leave to the company to appeal against the decision of the lower court.
Hearing of the two appeals has been fixed for November 3.
