The Special Offences Court of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has rejected a fresh bail request filed by businessman, Fred Ajudua, who is standing trial for an alleged $1.04 million fraud.
Ajudua, through his counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had asked the court to grant him bail on health grounds. Ojo told Justice Mojisola Dada that his client, who is battling chronic kidney disease, needed urgent medical attention and should be allowed to manage his health while the trial continues.
“The defendant’s health is deteriorating; only the living can stand trial,” Ojo pleaded, urging the court to consider Ajudua’s condition as he was brought to court with medical personnel from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the bail application. EFCC’s counsel, Seidu Atteh, argued that since Ajudua already has an appeal pending before the Supreme Court, his bail request should be directed to the apex court.
Ojo countered, insisting that Ajudua’s case before the Supreme Court is unrelated to the current bail plea.
In her ruling, Justice Dada declined the application, stating, “Given the pending applications before the Supreme Court, this court will await the outcome and abide by the decision.”
The judge adjourned the case to October 10, October 31, and November 20 for continuation of trial.
Ajudua Faces $1 Million Fraud Allegations
Fred Ajudua is facing charges of defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000 under false pretences.
At Monday’s proceedings, the third prosecution witness, EFCC investigator Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, testified on how the case file was transferred from the Police Special Fraud Unit to the EFCC’s Advance Fee Fraud Section in 2005. He detailed how the Commission sought documents from the Nigerian Police, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and EFCC’s forensic unit during investigations.
A dispute arose when the EFCC sought to tender some documents in evidence. Ajudua’s counsel objected, arguing they were inadmissible since they were not originals or certified true copies. Justice Dada admitted two documents as exhibits and rejected two others.
The court adjourned for the defence to prepare for cross-examination.
Background of Ajudua’s Trial
Ajudua’s legal battle dates back to 2005 when the case was first filed. After years of delays and legal hurdles, the case has passed through several judges until his arraignment in 2018. While he was granted bail by the Court of Appeal in 2018, the EFCC challenged the ruling at the Supreme Court, which ordered Justice Dada to continue the trial.
