By John Moses
The long-running criminal trial linked to Nigeria’s $9.6 billion gas contract fraud against British businessman James Nolan was delayed once again on Tuesday after both prosecution and defence lawyers failed to appear in court.
The Federal High Court was scheduled to hear final submissions in the case involving Nolan and a subsidiary of Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID), but the judge adjourned proceedings to 24 September due to the absence of legal representatives.
Nolan, a director at P&ID, is facing charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/9/22. He was arraigned in May 2022 alongside Micad Project City Services on allegations of money laundering. Both pleaded not guilty.
After initially being held at Kuje Prison, Nolan was granted bail set at ₦100 million. He later absconded, failing to appear for court sessions from September 2022 onwards. The EFCC then obtained court approval to try him in absentia, and Nolan was declared a fugitive.
According to court records, Nolan had informed the court via his counsel that he would not present any further evidence in his defence and would rely exclusively on the prosecution’s case.
In a dramatic turn, Nolan was apprehended by Interpol in Italy in January 2024. Despite the arrest, the Nigerian government is still awaiting his extradition.
This latest delay comes amidst broader legal actions against Nolan and companies linked to him. In July 2024, Justice Donatus Okorowo, now elevated to the Court of Appeal, ruled in favour of the EFCC in a separate case. Two firms connected to Nolan—Trinity Biotech Nigeria Ltd and Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd—were found guilty of money laundering and ordered to be liquidated, with assets transferred to the Nigerian state.
The P&ID scandal, one of the most high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria’s history, has significant international ramifications, having previously led to a protracted arbitration battle in London over the failed gas contract. Nigerian authorities continue efforts to recover funds and hold accountable those allegedly involved.
