Over 100 women stormed the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday chanting solidarity songs against the freezing order placed on bank accounts belonging to former First Lady Patience Jonathan.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on September 22 ordered the freezing of the accounts due to ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering charge preferred against her.
Mrs. Jonathan, in a fundamental rights suit instituted against the EFCC, is asking for a court order directing the unfreezing of her accounts.
She is also claiming $200 million against the commission as damages for allegedly infringing on her fundamental rights.
Apart from the EFCC, other respondents are Skye Bank and a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripama-Owei Dudafa.
Also joined in the suit are Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Transocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Globus Integrated Service Ltd.
Placard-carrying women chanted songs in Ijaw and English Languages at the court premises on Wednesday.
Some of the inscriptions read “Ijaw people are in solidarity with Jonathan”, “Unfreeze ex-President Jonathan’s wife’s account”, “We urge EFCC to abide by the rule of law” and “Women must be heard.”
They trooped in their numbers toward a vehicle belonging to the EFCC, chanting solidarity songs immediately after the court rose.
Meanwhile, Justice Babs Kuewumi has fixed December 7 for the hearing of the suit.
