Patience Jonathan To Convert Abuja Hotel To Isolation Centre

Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has reportedly struck a deal with Aisha Buhari to convert her 200-bed hotel to isolation and treatment centre in Abuja.

The hotel is under interim forfeiture secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 30, 2018 following prosecution for fraud.

According to the Nation, the former First Lady struck the deal with the wife of the President to convert the hotel which is under litigation for use by the government at the critical time.

Aisha Buhari reportedly entered into separate agreements with Mrs. Jonathan and the Ministry of Health to convert the hotel into a COVID-19 treatment centre through her pet project, the Future Assured Programme.

Mrs. Buhari made an offer to the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, to equip it as a treatment centre to international standards.

The hotel will reportedly be managed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) COVID-19 committee.

The Future Assured Programme is providing facilities like water, furniture, beddings, fittings and modern health equipment used to manage COVID-19 cases.

A source was quoted by the Nation saying; “Since the dispute over the property is still in court, the First Lady opted to seek the consent of Mrs. Patience Jonathan on the temporary use of the seized hotel. This mutual understanding has removed all legal hurdles.

“After the nation has overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel will be handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health, which will in turn revert back to the EFCC. Those involved are, therefore, the Future Assured Programme, the Ministry of Health, the EFCC and ex-First Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

“All the existing agreements are without prejudice to the final decision of the court on the property, which the First Lady said is owned by a separate entity, Aurora Foundation.”