The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday adjourned the adoption of final written addresses in the case against James Nolan, a director in the Process and Industrial Development Ltd, until November 3

Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned the case following the absence of counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the defence in court.

Mr Egwuatu had also, on June 10, fixed today for the matter after no lawyer appeared in the case when it was called.

This would be the second time that the case, bordering on a $9.6 billion money laundering offence allegedly perpetrated by P&ID, would not be heard.

Mr Nolan, a British national, in the trial linked to the scandal, had, on January 16, 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, Michael 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.

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 ₦100 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 arrest warrant was issued against him.

The EFCC’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, proceeded to apply for the trial of the defendant in absentia, which was accordingly granted by the court.

Mr Nolan was reportedly re-arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation in Italy on January 27, 2024, during a visit to his wife. He has 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 their involvement in the P&ID Ltd fraud.

Mr Okorowo, in two separate judgments, 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)