Alleged fleeing Jonathan’s minister returns to EFCC after her reported lawmaker husband was arrested (photos)

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– Honourable Aliyu Ahman Pategi, a member of the House of Representatives who stood as surety for Ms Jumoke Akinjide was released after she turned herself in

– The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that Ms Jumoke Akinjide, who had disappeared for months had returned

Ms Jumoke Akinjide, a former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after allegedly jumping bail.

As she turned in herself, the anti-graft agency announced that it had withdrawn the detention order against Honourable Aliyu Ahman Pategi, a member of the House of Representatives, who Sahara Reporters think is her husband and who stood surety for her.

Ms Akinjide turned herself in at the Ikoyi office of the commission in Lagos on Tuesday, June 20.

Ms Akinjide was reported to have jumped bail for many months

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today withdrew the detention order against Honourable Aliyu Ahman Pategi who stood surety for Ms Jumoke Akinjide, a former minister of state, ministry of Federal Capital Territory under President Goodluck Jonathan, after she turned herself in at the Ikoyi office of the vommission in Lagos,” a statement from the anti-graft agency also said.

Aliyu, who represents Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency of Kwara state, was recently remanded in EFCC custody by a Lagos state magistrate court, Igbosere for failing to produce the former minister when needed by investigators as well as her failure to appear before a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan for three proceedings.

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The EFCC said that Jumoke, who has been evading arraignment in the Federal High Court Ibadan, presided by Justice Ayo Emmanuel, is facing a 24-count charge of money laundering in suit number FHC/1B/26C/2017.

The court had threatened to dismiss the matter if the prosecution could not produce her in court at the next adjourned date being June 22, 2017.

ZENITHBLOG.com learnt that this prompted the EFCC to drag the surety before the Lagos state magistrate court to show cause why the N650 million bond will not be forfeited to the federal government.

The

statement said Patigi regained his freedom as information reached the court through his counsel that Ms Akinjide had presented herself to the EFCC.

This was confirmed by EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, who said: “I have just confirmed from operatives of the EFCC that Oloye Jumoke Akinjide has turned herself in at the Ikoyi Office.

“Since it was inability of the second respondent to produce her that triggered our application, we would therefore in the interest of justice, apply that the suit be struck out in view of success of 2nd respondent to secure the appearance of 1st respondent.”

Presiding Chief Magistrate Afolashade Botoku struck out the EFCC application upon the conclusion reached by both parties.

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Ms Akinjide, alongside the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, Yinka Taiwo, are being accused by the EFCC of fraudulently receiving the sum of N650 million from former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke out of the $115 million allegedly doled out to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

The EFCC said the sum was alleged to be gratification received by Mrs Alison-Madueke from various oil marketers such as Northern Belt Oil and Gas Company, Actus Integrated Investment Limited, Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited and Adesanya Leno Olaitab.

Ms Akinjide was invited to the EFCC office in Lagos on August 9, 2016. She wrote a statement after which Mr Pategi entered a bail bond of N650 million to be forfeited should Ms Akinjide jump administrative bail.

EFCC said Ms Akinjide, who presented herself to the commission after months of hide-and-seek, is currently cooling her heels in its custody pursuant to arraignment on June 22.

Meanwhile, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has advised the federal government to build a maximum prison in Sambisa forest.

Sambisa forest is a former Boko Haram hideout captured by the Nigerian army in 2016.

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