The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Friday, fixed May 11 for judgement in the case filed by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against James Nolan, a director in the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Ltd.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date after EFCC’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, and the defence counsel, Michael Ajara, adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments for and against the case.
Mr Nolan, a British national in the trial linked to the scandal, had, on January 16, 2025, told the court that he would not be calling any witness(es) in the ongoing trial.
Mr Nolan, who jumped bail around September 2022 and fled Nigeria, told the court through his lawyer, Mr Ajara.
The lawyer said that he would rely on the prosecution’s evidence already presented in court and would not be presenting additional evidence.
After the submission of the counsel, Mr Egwuatu had adjourned the matter for the adoption of the final written addresses of the parties.
However, there had been several adjournments in the matter before the date for the judgement was finally fixed.
The EFCC had, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/9/22, dragged Micad Project City Service, a subsidiary of P&ID Ltd, and Mr Nolan before the judge.
The defendants were arraigned in May 2022 but pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Mr Nolan, who is also a director in P&ID Ltd, was remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail plea.
Upon meeting his bail conditions of N100 million and a surety in like sum, Mr Nolan was granted bail.
He, however, stopped attending court proceedings and fled the country.
After his escape, he was declared wanted by the court, and an order was issued for his arrest wherever he was found.
The EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Sanga, proceeded to apply for the trial of the defendant in absentia, which was accordingly granted by the court.
Mr Nolan was said to have been re-arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation in Italy on January 27, 2024, when he visited his wife.
He is yet to be extradited to Nigeria to face trial.
A sister court presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, who had been elevated to the Court of Appeal on July 3, 2024, ordered the closure of two other companies linked to Mr Nolan over involvement in the P&ID Ltd fraud.
Mr Okorowo, in two separate judgements, held that the two companies were found guilty of money laundering offences and ordered that the companies be wound up and their assets forfeited to the federal government.
The companies are Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited and Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd.
(NAN)
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