In a dramatic turn of events at the trial of the $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) fraud, a key prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, revealed on Thursday, September 21, 2023, that the managing director of Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited, Patrick Nash (also known as Gerald Nash), managed to evade arrest.
During his testimony before Justice D.O Okorowo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Babangida detailed the unsuccessful attempts to bring Patrick Nash to trial, as he had fled the country before authorities could apprehend him.
“Our team visited the premises of Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited, situated on the 1st floor of Oyo State House on Ralph Shodende Street, Abuja. We sought to locate the Managing Director, Patrick Nash, alias Gerald Nash, an Irish national. However, we were informed by the company’s directors, Ibrahim Millar and Uzor Eneli, that he had left the country,” Babangida disclosed.
Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Michael Ajara, Babangida clarified that he led the investigative team, and their probe was initiated following a petition from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. This petition was in response to a substantial $9.6 billion judgment against the Federal Republic of Nigeria in favour of P&ID.
“To aid our investigation, my team and I collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum. We also obtained responses from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), where we requested information regarding the company’s name, shareholders, addresses, and any relevant changes. The CAC provided us with supporting documents,” Babangida explained.
He further mentioned that they received a written response from the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) to assist in their investigation.
Babangida went on to reveal that the investigative team had invited and interrogated the two directors of Trinity Biotech Ltd, Millar and Eneli, who willingly provided statements.
Justice Okorowo subsequently adjourned the trial until November 20 and 21, 2023, for the continuation of proceedings. The mystery surrounding Patrick Nash’s escape remains a captivating element in this high-profile case.
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