The Federal High Court Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Neil Murray over his alleged involvement in the controversial Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) scandal.
The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the order on Thursday following an ex-parte motion filed by Mr Bala Sanga, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought pursuant to Sections 3, 35, 36 and 37 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and under the inherent power of the court.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 dated August 20, was filed on August 25 with Murray as respondent and EFCC as the applicant. The matter was adjourned for January 25, 2022, for the continuation of trial, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
What happened in court
Sanga prayed the court for an order of warrant for the arrest of the respondent (Neil Murray) who is at large. He cited three grounds upon which the application was brought.
“That this Honourable Court has the statutory powers under provisions of Section 3, 35, 36 and 37 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015 to grant the prayers being sought.’’
“That the respondent is named in count numbers 1-8 of the criminal Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 and indicated to be at large.”
“That the proof of evidence in support of Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 discloses prima facie evidence against the respondent among others.”
EFCC’s lawyer also prayed the court to issue an arrest warrant for James Nolan because he was absent in court for the trial. However, the judge declined his request as the lawyer did not provide proof to show that Nolan was served hearing notice for the proceeding on Thursday.
In case you missed it
Nairametrics reported on October 19, that James Nolan was re-arraigned on an amended 32 count charge bordering on money laundering.
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court Abuja granted Nolan bail after he pleaded not guilty to the charges proffered against him.
Nairametrics also reported that on Wednesday, the court granted Ms Grace Taiga, former Director of Legal Services, Ministry of Petroleum Resources a N30 million bail in the multiple fraud case involving Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).
What you should know
Murray, an Irishman, was named in counts one to eight of the criminal charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 on which Nolan is currently standing trial.
Murray is an employee of P&ID and also a director of Lurgi Consult Ltd, an associate company of P&ID.
