Judgment marks latest legal victory for Nigeria in long-running efforts to prosecute figures linked to the controversial P&ID gas contract scandal
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted British businessman James Nolan, a director of Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) Ltd, in absentia on multiple counts of money laundering, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment on Monday, also convicted Nolan’s co-defendant, Micad Project City Services Ltd, after finding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The ruling represents another milestone in Nigeria’s years-long legal battle against individuals and entities linked to the controversial P&ID gas processing agreement that sparked one of the country’s biggest international arbitration disputes.
Nolan, who was arraigned in 2022 alongside Micad Project City Services on a 20-count charge, was found guilty on all counts except one. The court struck out Count 13 after ruling that the alleged offence occurred before the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Justice Egwuatu said the prosecution presented credible witnesses and documentary evidence to establish the charges against the defendants. The EFCC called six witnesses during the trial and tendered several exhibits.
The defendants did not call any witnesses in their defence. Their lawyer, Michael Ajara, opted to rest the case on the evidence presented by the prosecution.
The court also upheld allegations of forgery, accepting the prosecution’s argument that documents purportedly signed in 2017 by former company director Lloyd Quinn could not be genuine because Quinn had died in 2014.
In his ruling, the judge held that Nolan’s trial in absentia was permitted under Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Nolan was initially remanded in custody following his arraignment but was later granted bail of N100 million. He fled Nigeria in September 2022, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
According to court records, Nolan was subsequently arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Italy in January 2024. He has yet to be extradited to Nigeria.
Justice Egwuatu said Nolan would be sentenced once he is returned to Nigeria and produced before the court.
The judgment follows separate rulings delivered in July 2024 by another Federal High Court judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, who ordered the winding up of two companies linked to Nolan — Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited and Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd — after finding them guilty of money laundering offences.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the companies’ assets to the Federal Government.
