P&ID Scandal: Court Adjourns till Jan 21 for Briton’s Trial

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday
adjourned until January 21 a case filed by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a Briton, Adam Quinn,
due to the absence of the prosecution witness.

Justice Abang had on December 18, 2019 ordered the arrest of
Quinn over his alleged complicity in the $9.6 billion P&ID scam
against Nigeria.

The EFCC had prosecuted one Messrs Nolan and Quinn, both
directors of Goidel Resources Limited, a Designated Non-Financial
Institution and ICIL Limited, arraigning them on a 16-count charge
but later amended it to 32 counts bordering on money
laundering.

Quinn’s associate, Nolan, was noted to be a signatory to
P&ID accounts and had been at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja,
after being unable to perfect his bail conditions.

The judge said that the arrest of Quinn would assist the federal
government in the prosecution trial.

The prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, told the court that
the witness had been in court for previous court sittings and was
aware of Monday’s proceedings.

“He is aware of the date and contacted me this morning but I
have been calling him to know his whereabouts but he is not
responding,” he said.

In view of the prosecution witness’ absence, the prosecution
applied for an adjourned date.

Iheanacho, had earlier, told the court that Quinn’s name
featured in the charges not less than 21 times.

He said though Quinn was not within the court’s jurisdiction, an
order of warrant of arrest extraditing the defendant could be
effected.

According to him, the court has the statutory powers under the
provisions of sections 3, 35, 36 and 37 of the Administration of
Justice Act, 2015, to grant the prayers being sought.

“We seek an order of the honourable court issuing a warrant for
the arrest of Adam Quinn, named in counts 1, 2, 4, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the
criminal charge brought before this honourable court and face trial
on the aforementioned criminal charges.

“And for such further or other orders as this honourable court
may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case,” he said.
(NAN)

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!