An Abuja federal high court has ordered the closure of two companies linked to James Nolan, a British national, facing trial over his involvement in the Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) fraud.

In two separate judgments delivered on Wednesday, Donatus Okorowo, the presiding judge, held that the two companies were found guilty of the money laundering offences.

Consequently, Okorowo ordered that the companies be wound up and their assets be forfeited to the federal government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited and Nolan in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/272/2022 as the first and second defendants.

In the sister case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2022, the commission is also prosecuting Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd. and Corrado Fantoli as the first and second defendants, respectively.

Fantoli, also a foreigner and an associate of Nolan, was one of the suspects behind the alleged $9.6 billion P&ID fraud.

The suspect said to be at large alongside the company, was arraigned in absentia on November 25, 2022, on an eight-count money laundering charge.

He was neither present in court nor represented by a lawyer when they were arraigned.

The court declared him wanted and ordered his arrest anywhere he was sighted after an application by the EFCC counsel, Bala Sanga.

Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd. and Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited are two of the over 30 companies associated with the $9.6 billion P&ID scam.

Meanwhile, Nolan is standing trial on different charges before different judges.

Governors under the umbrella of the South-east Governors’ Forum have resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to seek the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo and chairman of the forum, announced the resolution at the end of a meeting of the governors held in Enugu on Tuesday.

The governors at the meeting were Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Alex Otti of Abia, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and Peter Mbah of Enugu.

The Imo governor said the delegation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth secretary-general, Nnaemeka Achebe, and the Obi of Onitsha paid a solidarity visit to the forum.

Uzodinma said the forum has resolved to meet with the federal government to discuss the “pressing issues” in the south-east zone.

“The forum commiserated with the government and people of Abia state, Ebonyi state, Imo state, south-east Nigeria, and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s family on the demise of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu,” the Imo governor said.

“The forum received the delegation of the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, Obi of Onitsha, who came on a solidarity visit to the forum.

“The forum deliberated on the reviewed report of the south-east security and economic summit held in Owerri on the 28th of September 2023 and agreed to implement the aspects of the report pertaining to security and economic integration and affirmed its desire to put actionable plans on the key issues agreed.

“The forum resolved to visit Mr. President to discuss pressing issues concerning the south-east region.

“The forum also resolved to interface with the federal government to secure the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.”

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The Defence Headquarters has described the recent bombings in Borno State as Nigeria receding into a state of war.

The DHQ made the declaration through a statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, on Tuesday while re-enacting the suicide bombing incidents that killed over 30 people in the Gworza Local Government Area of Borno State last weekend.

“Given that we are in a state of war, it must be recognised that this despicable act is a response to recent successes in ongoing military operations. Indeed, our recent operations have decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, reduced their support base, and reduced their influence,” he said.

Buba described the terror attacks as comprising of multiple Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) otherwise known as suicide bombings.

The first was recorded at about 3: 00 pm, when a female suicide bomber disguised as a beggar, invaded a wedding reception at Mararaba Hausari Street and detonated an improvised explosive device.

However, after that, at about 5: 00 pm, while efforts were on to stabilise and move casualties of the initial explosion to the hospital for further treatment, there was a second detonation from another female suicide bomber. The second explosion was on the same street and near the first explosion.

Buba said the troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community to get members of the community indoors and prevent further casualties.

However, while troops and hybrid forces enforced the curfew, a third explosion was recorded.

He said: “The third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew. The troops were attacked from behind by a third lady strapped with an IED vest. The blast killed a soldier and two members of hybrid forces.

“The fourth incident was averted when the suspect was identified early enough and she detonated the bomb prematurely whereby she became the only casualty. On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degrees of injuries and received treatment.”

Buba said the armed forces view every life lost as a result of the ongoing war,   whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy.

He said, “The sad loss of lives is a tragedy for the society, community and the nation.

“Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG MUSA, officers, and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.”

The DHQ said the terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline.

He said, “Citizens must see through the smoke screen of the terrorist. We must realise that terrorist aims to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population.

“The military is aware that in this phase of their ending life-cycle, the terrorists are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilise new recruits, reduce support for the armed forces, and reduce support for the government.”

Accordingly, the DHQ called on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces, to ensure a secure and peaceful future.

“The fate of the terrorists that perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield,” he said.