The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the adoption of final written addresses in the trial of James Nolan, a director of Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Ltd, to November 3.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu postponed the case on Tuesday following the absence of both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and defence counsel. It is the second time proceedings have stalled, after a similar incident on June 10 when no lawyer appeared.
Nolan, a British national, is standing trial alongside Micad Project City Service Ltd, a P&ID subsidiary, on money laundering charges valued at $9.6 billion.
He was arraigned in May 2022, pleaded not guilty, and was initially remanded at Kuje prison before securing bail of N100 million. However, he jumped bail in September 2022 and fled Nigeria. The court later allowed his trial in absentia.
Interpol re-arrested him in Italy on January 27, 2024, but he has yet to be extradited.
Meanwhile, a sister court presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, now of the Court of Appeal, in July 2024 ordered the winding up of two companies linked to Nolan—Trinity Biotech Nigeria Ltd and Resorts Express Concept Ltd—after finding them guilty of money laundering. Their assets were forfeited to the Federal Government.
