Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has issued a warrant for the arrest of an Irishman, Neil Murray, over his involvement in the Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) $9 billion scam.
Gatekeepers News reports that the arrest warrant issued on Thursday follows an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bala Sanga.
The anti-graft counsel told the court that the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 dated Aug. 20 and filed Aug. 25, was 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 Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the EFCC, is the applicant, while Murray is the respondent. Murray, an employee of P&ID, is also a director of Lurgi Consult Ltd., an associate company of P&ID.
Sanga said the respondent (Murray), who is at large, is named in counts one to eight of the criminal charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 before the court in which a Director in P&ID, James Nolan, is currently standing trial.
The EFCC Counsel, therefore, asked the court for an order of warrant for the arrest of Murray for him to be brought before the court and face trial on the aforementioned criminal charge.
He gave 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 Adminstration of Criminal Justice Act, 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,” he said.
The anti-graft counsel also urged the court to issue an arrest warrant against Nolan, following his absence in court, a request that was declined. The Judge said there was no proof that the hearing notice for Thursday’s proceeding was served on Nolan.
Justice Mohammed however granted the prayer for the issuance of an arrest warrant on Murray.
Gatekeepers News reports that the matter was adjourned until January 25, 2022, for trial continuation.
