British national waives right to call defence witnesses in P&ID fraud trial

James Nolan, a Briton facing trial over his alleged involvement in the Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) fraud, has opted not to call witnesses in his defence.

Nolan is being tried alongside Micad Project City Services Limited on a 20-count charge, including obtaining by false pretence, violating the Money Laundering Act of 2011, and criminal conversion of proceeds amounting to N151,394,328.

During a court session on Thursday, Bala Sanga, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that the prosecution would not call its final witness as initially planned.

“Upon reviewing the case, we found it unnecessary to proceed with the last witness and decided to dispense with it,” Sanga said.

Michael Ajara, counsel for Nolan, did not oppose this decision. He told the court that the defence team would rely on evidence already presented by the prosecution.

“Based on the evidence before the court, we shall rest our case on theirs. We do not intend to call any witnesses,” Ajara stated.

The presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, adjourned the case until March 10, when the final written addresses from both parties will be adopted.

Background

Nolan, a director at P&ID Limited, was first arraigned by the EFCC in August 2020 alongside Lurgi Consult Limited and others concerning a $9.6 billion money laundering case.

Although granted bail, Nolan failed to appear in court after meeting his bail conditions. In September 2022, the Federal High Court in Abuja revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

INTERPOL arrested Nolan on January 27, 2024, during a visit to his wife in Italy. While he is yet to be extradited to Nigeria, the trial has continued in his absence.

This case is part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to unravel the complex fraud scheme surrounding P&ID, a case that has drawn international attention due to its staggering financial implications.