Ethnic youths coalition yesterday stormed the National Assembly to protest against what they termed the persecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s family by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Meanwhile, the Senate will today screen the commission’s Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, five months after his nomination.In a related development, Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday granted leave to former first lady Patience Jonathan to amend her claims against the EFCC and Skye Bank.

The judge also gave the EFCC time to amend its counter-affidavit.Mrs. Jonathan, in the suit is claiming that EFCC froze four of her accounts with Skye Bank in the name of four companies.

The companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).

The accounts, she said, have a balance of $15,591,700 (about N5 billion) belonging to her.She is therefore praying for an order to de-freeze the accounts and release her money.

The protesting youths, made up of Ijaw Youths, Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yoruba Youth Council, who stormed the National Assembly at 9.00 a.m. yesterday were however, denied access into the premises of the National Assembly by policemen. They later withdrew to the federal secretariat area where they addressed a rally and came out with a communiqué.

Led by Ijaw Youths Council National Secretary, Bristol Alagbariya Emmanuel, they also alleged that operatives of EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had twice invaded the Abuja’s residence of former first lady, Patience Jonathan without any formal notice or warrant.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over yesterday’s plenary session, made the announcement about Magu’s screening and urged senators to turn up for the legislative exercise.