The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday,
arraigned a Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Commercial
Director, Muhammed Kuchazi, before Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo of
the Federal High Court, Abuja, on eight counts bordering on money
laundering.
Kuchazi was arraigned alongside his company, Kore Holdings Limited, on
alleged money laundering related charges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the company is the
1st defendant in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/319/2020, Kuchazi is the
2nd defendant.
Kuchazi, a Nigerian and a sole signatory the company, would have
benefitted the sum of 300 million dollars in the P&ID’s
9.6 billion dollars judgment deal against Nigeria should the case
succeeded.
NAN also reports that the EFCC had, on Oct. 21, 2019, arraigned James
Nolan and Adam Quinn (at large), both British nationals and directors of
Goidel Resources Limited and ICIL Limited before Justice Okon Abang over
their alleged complicity in the 9.6 billion dollars judgment against the
country.
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 arraignment of the two British nationals came weeks after two P&ID
directors were convicted over the deal.
Although Nolan and Quinn were arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering
on alleged money laundering, Kuchazi and his company were arraigned on
eight counts.
After all the counts were read to him, Kuchazi pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC counsel, Bala Sanga, prayed the court to remand him in Kuje
Correctional Centre, pending the determination of the matter.
But Kuchazi’s counsel, Aniah Okwen, moved an oral bail application for
his client.
Okwen hinged his reason on medical ground.
He argued that Kuchazi was indisposed and needed medical attention.
Sanga, in his argument, disagreed with Okwen on the oral application for
bail after arraignment and the judge aligned with him.
Okwen, however, urged the court to allow him to be kept at the EFCC
custody, while praying the court for a short time to file the bail
application.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, who adjourned the hearing of the bail
application until Feb. 4 and fixed April 27 and April 28 for trial.
(NAN)