EFCC seeks arrest warrant against Briton James Nolan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja for an arrest warrant against a Briton, James Nolan, a director in the Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).

Counsel for the EFCC, Bala Sanga, told Justice Obiora Egwuatu that Mr Nolan, having been declared missing by his counsel, Paul Erokoro, had jumped bail.

Sanga, therefore, prayed for the revocation of his bail.

He urged the court to issue the warrant of arrest so that Nolan could be tracked not only within Nigeria by the security agencies but outside the country by the Interpol.

The anti-graft agency had, on May 24, arraigned Micad Project City Services Limited and Nolan as first and second defendants before Egwuatu on 20 counts bordering on money laundering and the judge adjourned to today for trial commencement.

Nolan, alleged to be at large, is also being arraigned in about eight other cases for his involvement in the 9.6 billion dollars controversial contract awarded to P&ID.

When the matter was called, Sanga said that the first defendant, a non-financial institution, was not represented and had never been represented in court.

He said though the matter was adjourned for trial commencement, Nolan (the second defendant) was not in court.

He said Nolan, who was granted bail on the terms earlier given by sister court, had jumped bail.

“In fairness, the defence told us that the second defendant has jumped bail and that they could explain that.

“Giving that he is not in court today, we will make an application covering five issues,” he said.

But Nolan’s counsel, Michael Ajara, who held brief for Erokoro, expressed concern over the whereabouts of their client.

He said Nolan, after the last sitting informed his lawyer Erokoro, that he was indisposed and would be travelling to a Lagos hospital for medication.

According to Ajara, he is suffering from bipolar disorder.

He explained that after a phone discussion with the lead counsel around June, Nolan’s phone number had not been connecting.

The judge adjourned the matter until November 9 for trial commencement.