The Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s request to extradite the Briton, Adam Quinn, over his alleged complicity in the $9.6 billion judgment against Nigeria.
Justice Okon Abang, who gave the order for Quinn’s arrest, said the move would help the Federal Government to prosecute him in the charges levied against him.
Quinn’s associate, Nolan, had been at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, after he had been unable to perfect his bail conditions.
The EFCC had, on October 21, arraigned Nolan and Quinn (at large), both British nationals, over their alleged involvement in the judgment against Nigeria.
Process and Industrial Development (P&ID), an Irish engineering company, had secured the award against Nigeria following the non-execution of a 20-year Gad and Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) the company had with the federal government.
The arraignment of the two British nationals is coming weeks after two P&ID directors were convicted over the deal.
The defendants, both directors of Goidel Resources Limited, a Designated Non-Financial Institution and ICIL Limited, were arraigned on a 16-count charge but later amended to 32 counts bordering on money laundering.
In an ex-parte motion dated December 16, the EFCC lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, 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.
Although Nolan was in court with his lawyer, Anozie Okwudili, and the EFCC’s witness too was in court, the judge ruled that it would not be convenient for the court to take the matter.
Justice Abang, therefore, adjourned for continuation of trial till Jan. 20 and 21, 2020.
