Court didn’t summon me over Sowore – Malami – Newtelegraph

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request to extradite a Briton, Adam Quinn, over an alleged complicity in $9.6 billion dollars judgment against Nigeria. The trial judge, 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, due to his inability to perfect his bail conditions.

EFCC had on October 21, arraigned Nolan and fleeing Quinn, 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 non-execution of a 20-year gas and supply processing agreement (GSPA) the company had with the federal government. The arraignment of the two British nationals came 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 with file number: FHC/ABJ/ CR/239/19, the EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, told the court that Quinn’s name featured in the charges not less than 21 times.According to him, the court had the statutory powers under the provisions of Section 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. Justice Abang, however, held that he had considered the application argued by the anti-graft lawyer.

He said: “I think it deserves to succeed to enable the prosecution that represents the Federal Government of Nigeria commence prosecution of AdamQuinn. “Therefore, it is hereby ordered as prayed in line with the motion. “Order is hereby made for warrant of arrest of Adam Quinn whose name appeared severally to enable Federal Government of Nigeria to commence his prosecution to enable him answer questions on the charge.” The court later adjourned for continuation of trial till January 20 and 21, 2020.