In the trial of the $9.6 billion fraud case involving Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), a prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, testified on September 21, 2023, before Justice D.O Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Babangida revealed that their attempts to bring Patrick Nash, the Managing Director of Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited, also known as Gerald Nash, to trial had failed as he had fled the country prior to his arrest.
Babangida recounted, “My team conducted an investigation at the premises of Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited, situated on the 1st floor of Oyo State House, Ralph Shodende Street, Abuja. Our objective was to locate Patrick Nash, also known as Gerald Nash, an Irish national and the Managing Director of the company. However, we were informed by the company’s directors, Ibrahim Millar and Uzor Eneli, that he had left the country.”
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Michael Ajara, Babangida clarified that he had led the investigative team, which had been initiated following a petition from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. The investigation was prompted by a judgment against the Federal Republic of Nigeria in favor of P&ID, amounting to $9.6 billion.
Babangida elaborated on their investigative process, saying, “My team and I collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum to facilitate our inquiry. We also sought assistance from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), where we requested information regarding the company’s name, shareholders’ names and addresses, changes in company details, and other relevant information, all of which were provided with supporting documents. Additionally, we received a written response from the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) to assist in our investigation.”
He further revealed that the team had invited and questioned the two directors of Trinity Biotech Ltd, Millar and Eneli, who had voluntarily provided statements.
The trial was adjourned by Justice Okorowo until November 20 and 21, 2023, for the continuation of proceedings.
