The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a case against Mr James Nolan, a British national who escaped bail in 2022, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mr Bala Sanga, counsel for the EFCC, led in the first prosecution witness (PW1), Mr Temitope Erinomo, an Assistant Chief Complaint Officer of the anti-graft agency.
Erinomo, who works in the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, testified in court that he was part of the team that investigated the criminal charges filed against Micad Project City Services Ltd and Nolan.
Nolan, a director in the Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), jumped bail and stopped attending court proceedings in 2022.
Although Nolan was not in court, his lawyer, Mr Michael Ajara, was in court.
Ajara, however, told the court that he was indisposed, hence, he would not be able to cross-examine the PW1.
He, therefore, sought for an adjournment.
Sanga did not oppose the application and the judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 16, Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 for cross-examination and trial continuation.
Justice Egwuatu had, on July 6, ordered a surety, Mr George Kadiri, to forfeit his N100 million bail bond to the Federal Government over his inability to produce the fleeing Briton, Nolan, in court.
In a ruling, Justice Egwuatu also ordered Mr Kadiri, a retired civil servant, who was absent in court, to be remanded in prison custody until the payment of the N100 million.