P&ID: EFCC arraigns Briton, six companies over ‘money laundering’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned James Nolan, a Briton, and six companies over their alleged involvement in the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) “contract scam”.

P&ID, an Irish engineering company, had secured a $9.6 billion award against Nigeria following the non-execution of a 20-year gas and supply processing agreement (GSPA) it had with the federal government.

The federal government, however, appealed the judgement at a London high court.

At the court on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency filed money laundering charges against Nolan alongside Lurgi Consult LTD.

In the second charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/144/20, five counts were filed against Nolan and Kristholm Nigeria LTD.

In the third charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/145/20), six counts were filed against Marshpeal Nigeria ltd and Nolan.

In another charge (FHC/ABI/CR/146/20), the EFCC preferred six counts against Nolan and Babcock Electrical Projects LTD.

The British national is also facing a six-count charge (FHC/ABI/CR/147/20) together with LIR Resources Nigeria LTD.

In the sixth charge marked FHC/AB)/CR/148/20, Nolan and Ecophoenix Nigeria LTD are faced with a six-count charge.

Nolan, who is a director in all the companies he was charged with, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Although the six companies had no legal representation, the judge entered a “not guilty” plea for them.

Adam Quinn and Neil Murray who are also directors in the companies but currently on the run were also mentioned in the charges.

Bala Sanga, EFCC counsel, said the commission will file an application for the arrest of Quinn and Murray to get them to stand trial.

Moving an oral application for bail, Paul Erokoro, counsel to Nolan, urged the court to adopt the bail conditions previously granted to his client in a case marked FHC/ABJ/239/2019 filed before Okon Abang, a federal high court judge.

Since the application for bail was unopposed by Sanga, Ahmed Mohammed, the trial judge, adopted the previous bail conditions.

The case has been adjourned till October 5 for commencement of trial.

Although the court of appeal has varied the bail conditions granted to him by Abang, Nolan is still in Kuje prison as he is yet to perfect the bail conditions.