The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the $15.5 million that former first lady, Patience Jonathan claims to be hers, is “a proceed of crime”.

The agency said this on Wednesday in a counter-affidavit it presented before the Federal High Court Lagos, urging it to dismiss Mrs Jonathan’s suit, The Nation reports.

On September 15, four companies linked to Mrs Jonathan pleaded guilty and were convicted for money laundering before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

Justice Kuewumi, however refused to order the forfeiture of the money back to the federal government.

In a suit before Justice Mohammed Idris, Mrs Jonathan is praying the court to order the EFCC to de-freeze the accounts.

But EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo on Wednesday said the money was stolen from the State House, Abuja.

He said, “EFCC received an intelligence report showing vividly that the fourth to seventh defendants retained proceeds of crime.

“Our investigations showed that Fetus Iyoha admitted receiving the fund from the first defendant (Dudafa). Iyoha is a domestic staff at the State House. He admitted that funds credited into the accounts were given to him from the State House.”

Rotimi said Iyoha paid $3,096,377.38 into Pluto’s account; paid $3,410,534.71 into Seagate’s account, paid $3,765,711.87 into Trans Oceans’ account, and paid $250,000 into Avalon Global’s account.

EFCC arraigned the companies with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

Justice Idris adjourned until January 18 for hearing.

Trial in case before Justice Kuewumi will continue on December 14.