EFCC moves to extradite Briton ‘involved in P&ID contract scam’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday got the approval of a federal high court in Abuja to extradite Adam Quinn, a British national, over his alleged involvement in the $9.6 billion judgement 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 gas and supply processing agreement (GSPA) the company had with the federal government.
The EFCC had preferred a 32 count charge against Quinn and James Nolan, another British national, alongside two firms Goidel Resources Limited and ICIL Limited, in which they are directors.
However, Quinn has been at large.
Consequently, the EFCC approached the court with an application to extradite Quinn so he can face charges.
Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC prayed the court for “an order of the honourable court issuing a warrant for the arrest on 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 No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/239/19 before this honourable court for him to be brought before this honourable court and face trial on the aforementioned criminal charges.
“That this honourable court has the statutory powers under the provisions of section 3,35,26 and 37 of the Administrative of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to grant the prayers being sought.”
Iheanacho said although Quinn is not within the court’s jurisdiction, “if we can get a warrant of arrest, we intend to proceed extradition processes in this matter.”
“Adam is one of the people mentioned in the charge and the name appeared severally for not less than 25 times in the amended charge dated November 20 and filed the same day,” he said.
Okon Abang, the judge granted the prayers of the EFCC
“I have considered the application argued now, I think it deserves to succeed to enable the counsel that represent the federal government of Nigeria to commence prosecution of Quinn.” Abang ruled.
“The order is hereby made for a warrant of arrest of Adam whose name appeared severally to enable Federal Government of Nigeria commences his prosecution to enable him to answer questions on the charge, Mr Abang ruled.”
The court adjourned the matter till January 20 and January 21, 2020, for continuation of trial.
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