Chief George Kadiri, the traditional chief of Gwagwalada and a retired civil servant, has been brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja for failing to produce British national Mr. James Nolan in the ongoing $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) fraud case.
Kadiri was produced before Justice Peter Lifu on Thursday, following a bench warrant issued due to his repeated failure to appear in court, News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured the order after Kadiri’s absence and Nolan’s disappearance from trial.
Nolan, a director in P&ID, had jumped bail after Justice Ahmed Mohammed revoked his ₦100 million bail on September 28, 2022, and ordered security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest him anywhere he was found.
Kadiri had earlier filed a motion in November 2022, seeking more time to explain why his bail bond should not be forfeited. However, his continued non-appearance prompted the EFCC to secure a fresh arrest warrant.
During Thursday’s hearing, EFCC counsel Bala Sanga confirmed Kadiri’s production in court, urging the court to forfeit the bail bond.
Kadiri’s lawyer, O. J. Aboge, however, requested an adjournment to allow arguments on why the ₦100 million bond should not be forfeited.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Erokoro, representing the defendants, offered to stand surety for Kadiri, describing him as “a respected traditional chief of Gwagwalada” who would not abscond.
“This is my first time taking anyone on bail. He won’t run,” Erokoro assured.
The EFCC did not object to the fresh bail or the adjournment.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to November 5 for hearing on the bond forfeiture and ordered Kadiri’s release to Erokoro pending the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, Nolan, who faces multiple criminal charges, remains at large.