By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos seeking its permission to file a mandamus application compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to prosecute former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, over a $15 million unexplained wealth frozen in four companies’ accounts.
The suit with registration number FHC/L/CS/1318/2016 and dated September 23, 2016, was filed on behalf of SERAP by its executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni.
Mumuni said SERAP came to court as a follow up to a request last week by dame Jonathan for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to defreeze her accounts and offer her a public apology within 14 days.
He said: “The Attorney-General of the Federation has a duty to prosecute intentional illicit enrichment, that is, a significant increase in the assets of a public official that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her lawful income.
“By virtue of Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Attorney-General of the Federation is constitutionally empowered to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person in Nigeria in respect of any offence created by or under any Act of the National assembly in superior courts in Nigeria.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation has failed, neglected and or refused to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan over $15 million unexplained wealth frozen in her accounts.”
