GEJ goes into exile in Côte d’Ivoire to avoid arrest

There are strong indications that GEJ may have gone into temporary self exile in Cote d’Ivoire, following reports that the EFCC may arrest him on his arrival in Nigeria from his overseas tour, on allegations of corruption and misappropriation of billions of dollars during his tenure, THISDAY reports.

According to them, several sources close to GEJ said that he sought refuge in Cote d’Ivoire last week and also blamed the heightened attacks on oil and gas installations by militants, on why Pres. Buhari reneged on his promise that GEJ had nothing to fear from him after he handed over on May 29, 2015.

Since GEJ's handing over, EFCC, has arrested several of his associates, on allegations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and contract scams, mostly linked to defence sector contracts and the purchase of arms used for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram in the North-east.

A source, who spoke to THISDAY on Jonathan’s decision to to seek exile in Côte d’Ivoire, said he was reliably warned, by security sources, of the plan to arrest him once he stepped into the country. Jonathan departed Nigeria for the U.S almost two months ago. .
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After departing the US, he travelled to London to be with his children for a few days, preparatory to his return to Nigeria. But while in the UK, he was warned by sympathetic officials in different arms of government, of the government’s decision to arrest him once he returned to Nigeria.

On getting wind of the plan, Jonathan, THISDAY gathered, contacted a few West African leaders including the President of Cote d’Iviore, Alassane Outtara, who offered him a safe haven until the coast is clear for him to return to Nigeria.

Sources close to the president said since the information of the government’s resolve to arrest GEJ swept through the Niger Delta, Ijaw militants have gone berserk and stepped up their attacks on oil and gas installations in the region. They are said to be hell-bent on shutting down oil output completely