Two British nationals, James Richard Nolan and Adam Quinn, were on Monday arraigned before a Federal High Court, Abuja for their involvement in the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Limited controversial project.
Though one of them is at large, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleged that the two Britons, played a key role in the controversial award of $9.6bn to (P&ID) Limited by a United Kingdom commercial court.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Okon Abang on a 16-count charge, bordering on money laundering.
The anti-graft said the defendants were the directors of Goidel Resources Limited, a Designated Non-Financial Institution (DNFI) and ICIL Limited, used to launder money.
Some of the counts read: “That you James Richard Nolan and Adam Quinn (at large), sometime in December 2013 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being Directors of Goidel Resources Limited, a Designated Non-Financial Institution(“DNFI”) aided the said Company in failing to comply in the requirement of submitting to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments a declaration of the activities as specified under Section 5 (1)(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16 (2b) of the same Act.
“That you Goidel Resources Limited, sometime in February 2014, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court being a Designated Non-Financial Institution (“DNFI”) failed to report in writing to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission a single lodgement of the sum of $125,000 ( One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand, Dollar only), in your account number 0154696732 domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc as specified under Section 10(1b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16(2b) of the same Act.”
Counsel to the defendants, Okwudili Anozie, moved a bail application after the charges were read to them.
However, the prosecution counsel, Bala Santa, objected to the oral bail application.
He argued that the defendants should come with a sworn affidavit to give teeth to the application.
In a short ruling, Justice Okon Abang upheld the submission of the prosecution counsel and dismissed the oral application. He ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.
He subsequently adjourned till November 20 for the commencement of trial.
