$9.6BN P&ID JUDGMENT: Court rejects Briton’s request for adjournment of trial

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, overruled a British national, James Nolan, on his application for adjournment of the trial over his counsel’s inability to prepare for his defence.

Justice Okon Abang, who overruled the Briton, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, to call his first witness.

The EFCC had on October 21, arraigned Nolan and one Adam Quinn over alleged complicity in the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) gas supply and processing agreement signed a few years ago.

While Nolan has been appearing in court, Quinn is said to be at large.

A British court had in August awarded $9.6 billion compensation cost against Nigeria following the non-execution of the agreement P&ID had with the Federal Government.

The Britons’ arraignment came weeks after two P&ID directors were convicted over the deal.

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The defendants who are both directors of Goidel Resources Limited, a Designated Non-Financial Institution (DNFI) and ICIL Limited, were arraigned on a 16-count charge of money laundering.

Earlier, the EFCC’s counsel had told Justice Abang that since the matter was slated for trial, the anti-graft agency was ready to commence the trial.

The lawyer told the court that he was in the court with two witnesses.

However, Nolan’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN) told the court that he had already briefed the prosecution about the difficulty he faced in preparing for the trial.

He said the Nolan was being held at Kuje Correctional Centre where they were allowed access to him twice a week.

He urged Justice Abang to grant the request.

However, Justice Abang dismissed the request for adjournment and ordered the EFCC to present the first witness, one Mr. Agunbiade Adewale Akinseye, an account officer with Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB).

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