Drama in $9.6B P&ID Scandal: FCT Chief Arraigned After British Fugitive He Stood For Disappears

Chief George Kadiri, a respected traditional leader of Gwagwalada and retired civil servant, has been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja after failing to produce British national James Nolan an accused fugitive in Nigeria’s infamous $9.6 billion P&ID fraud case.

Justice Peter Lifu issued a bench warrant after Kadiri repeatedly failed to appear in court, prompting the EFCC to bring him in on Thursday. Nolan, a director in Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID), had jumped bail after a previous court revoked his ₦100 million bail bond and ordered his arrest locally and internationally.

Kadiri, who had stood surety for Nolan, previously pleaded for more time to explain why his ₦100 million bond shouldn’t be forfeited. However, his continued absence forced the EFCC to act.

During the court hearing, EFCC’s lead counsel Bala Sanga requested the bond be forfeited. In defense, Kadiri’s lawyer O. J. Aboge asked for an adjournment, while respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Paul Erokoro, offered to stand as a fresh surety for Kadiri, vouching for his integrity.

“This is my first time standing bail for anyone. I assure the court, he will not abscond,” Erokoro stated.

Justice Lifu granted the request, releasing Kadiri into Erokoro’s custody and adjourning the hearing on the bond forfeiture to November 5, 2025.

Meanwhile, James Nolan at the heart of Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar scandal remains on the run, with security agencies still tracking him.

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