A Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 45 days to conclude its investigation and charge Patience Jonathan, former First Lady, to court.

The court’s decision followed an ex-parte application by the EFCC seeking the forfeiture of Jonathan’s properties pending the determination of investigations relating to the said assets, according to Premium Times.

The court granted the EFCC’s application and ordered the forfeiture of two properties belonging to the former First Lady.

Nnamdi Dimgba, the judge, gave the EFCC 45 days to conclude its investigation and charge Jonathan to court.

The Judge also ruled that the EFCC could approach the court to seek extension of the forfeiture order before the expiration of the 45 day period.

The EFCC accused the former first lady of using the properties for the running of a non-governmental organisation which the commission found to be fraudulent.

The anti-graft agency also asked the court to stop Jonathan from making any attempt at selling the properties.

A request by Jonathan’s lawyer for the court to refuse the ex-parte application was turned down.

“Having dismissed the motion challenging the ex parte originating summons, I have gone ahead to carefully consider the application along with all the materials placed before the court to support the request for same, which materials have already been listed at the commencement of this ruling.

“In so far as the essence of this application is to preserve an asset pending the completion of an investigation, I am convinced that those materials placed before me, justify a favourable exercise of the court’s discretion to grant the relief sought in the application.

“I hereby accordingly grant relief 1 and relief 2 sought. Relief 3 is refused because it is not supported by the grounds of the application and thus unnecessary in the circumstances of the application.

“The order of court granting the relief shall last only for a period of 45 days within which the applicant must conclude their investigation and file necessary criminal charges where investigation reveals the commission of a crime.”

The court ruled that a valid application for extension of time can only be brought prior to the expiration of the 45 day ultimatum.

“The applicant is at liberty to apply for a renewal of the order on cause, provided that such an application to be valid is made before the expiry of the 45 days validity period granted by the court.

The properties ordered to be forfeited are located at Plot No. 1960, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama District, and Plot No. 1350, Cadastral Zone A00. Both properties are located in Abuja.