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Tag: Fred Ajudua

  • $4.8million fraud: Ajudua challenges right of EFCC to prosecute him

    $4.8million fraud: Ajudua challenges right of EFCC to prosecute him

    Lagos lawyer, Fred Ajudua, has challenged the right of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him over charges that he allegedly defrauded a former Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi of $4.8million.

    The EFCC had alleged that Ajudua defrauded Bamaiyi while they were in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in 2004.

    According to the EFCC, Ajudua had approached Bamaiyi who was facing trial for the attempted murder of the late publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr Alex Ibru and convinced him that he could help to secure his freedom.

    He was alleged to have received $4.8million from Bamaiyi as legal fees for the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola and Company but which later turned out as false.

    At resumed proceeding Monday, Ajudua through his counsel, Mr Norrison Quakers in an application dated January, 6, 2017 challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    Norrison told the court that they have filed an affidavit and a reply on points of law challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear this case.

    “The law provides that an information in this charge can only be filed by the Attorney-General of the state and not the EFCC,”

    He therefore urged the court to quash the charges brought against his client by the anti-graft agency.

    But counsel to the EFCC, Mr S.A Atteh objected to the application.

    Atteh said that there was a judgment of the Court of Appeal upholding the right of the EFCC to prosecute the matter.

    The agency, he said, has responded by filing  a counter-affidavit dated  February 9, 2017 detailing its opposition.

    He prayed the court to allow the judgment of the Court of Appeal on whether the EFCC has a fiat to prosecute this case.

    “I urge the court to dismiss the application of the defence and call the defendant to take his plea,” he said.

    Justice Oyefeso has however adjourned the case to March 30 for ruling.

  • Bamaiyi: Ajudua challenges EFCC’s right to prosecute him over $4.8m fraud

    A one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, on Monday in Lagos challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a 4.8 million dollars fraud charge it slammed against him.

    Ajudua, who challenged the right of the commission to prosecute him for defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, is also challenging the jurisdiction of an Ikeja High Court to try the case.

    The EFCC had accused Ajudua of defrauding Bamaiyi while both were in prison custody in 2004 for different offences.

    EFCC said Ajudua had approached Bamaiyi, who was facing trial for the attempted murder of Mr. Alex Ibru, the late publisher of the Guardian Newspaper, and convinced him that he could help to secure his freedom.

    According to the commission, Ajudua received 4.8 million dollars from Bamaiyi under the guise that the money was the legal fees for the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola and Co.

    Ronke Rosulu, a court registrar and Ajudua’s alleged accomplice, who helped him funneled the funds from the prison, was sentenced in a separate trial on Dec. 21, 2005 to 10 years in prison by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

    During Monday’s proceeding, counsel to Ajudua, Mr. Norrison Quakers, in an application dated Jan. 6 challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    He also urged the court to quash the charge brought against Ajudua by the EFCC.

    “We have filed an affidavit and a reply in points of law challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear this case.

    “The law provides also provides that an information in this charge can only be filed by the Attorney-General of the state and not the EFCC,” he said.

    Responding, counsel to the EFCC, Mr. S.A. Atteh, said there was a judgment of the Court of Appeal upholding the right of the EFCC to prosecute the case.

    “We have filed a counter-affidavit dated Feb. 9 urging the court to allow the judgment of the Court of Appeal on whether the EFCC has a fiat to prosecute this case.

    “I urge the court to dismiss the application of the defence and call the defendant to take his plea,” he said.

    Justice Oyefeso adjourned the case to March 30 for ruling.

     

  • Alleged scam: American’s suit to recover N6.6b adjourned

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned a suit filed by an American, Montia Rice, seeking to relist a suit in which he obtained judgment awarding him N6.6billion.

    The American claimed he lost the sum to alleged fraudsters who duped him over a phantom project.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun adjourned the case to enable parties determine if the name of the fifth defendant was struck out by the judge who first handled the case.

    The American said he obtained a judgment by former judge of the court, Justice Dan Abutu, on July 28, 2000 awarding him the sum.

    Justice Abutu entered judgment in favour of Rice after the defendants, including alleged fraudster Fred Ajudua, Jude Okwudili, Dr Annuni, Sam Opara, Standard Trust Bank, Mamo Feda and Mr. Wags Digiteme, failed to respond to the suit.

    But, Standard Trust Bank (now United Bank for Africa Plc), claimed that Justice Abutu struck out its name from the action.

    The bank said its name should not be listed among the defendants in the current bid to relist the suit.

    Justice Olatoregun then directed parties to have a formal meeting with the court’s legal officers to study the records and determine if the bank’s name was indeed struck off.

  • Alleged scam: American seeks to recover N6.6b

    An American, Montia Rice, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to relist a suit in which he obtained judgment awarding him N6.6billion, which he claimed he lost to alleged fraudsters in a phantom project.

    The plaintiff had claimed the sum from an alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua and six others.

    However, before the judgment delivered by Justice Dan Abutu on July 28, 2000 could be enforced, the lawyer representing him in Nigeria, Anthony Okocha, died.

    Rice also fled the country after his life was threatened.

    Through a new attorney, Ayodele Akindele, Rice is praying the court to relist the suit into the general cause list to enable him enforce the judgment and recover his money.

    He is also praying for leave to apply for the issuance of writ of execution of the judgment delivered by Justice Abutu.

    The judge had entered judgment in favour of Rice after the defendants, including Ajudua, Jude Okwudili, one Dr. Annuni, Sam Opara, Mamo Feda and Mr. Wags Digiteme, failed to respond to the suit.

    Justice Abutu entered judgment for the plaintiff against the defendants jointly and severally in the sum of $6,456,848.61 (about N1, 969,331,933.39) as well as “interlocutory judgment” in the sum of $15,364,380 (about N4, 686,119,498.58).

    Rice, who runs a construction company, claimed he was allegedly approached by the defendants to execute a project in Nigeria.

    After being convinced to finance the project, Rice said he transferred the funds from his Barclays Bank United Kingdom account to the defendants through the defunct Standard Trust Bank (STB).

    Upon discovering he had been duped, he sued the defendants, who did not enter appearance to defend the suit.

    In a supporting affidavit, Akindele said no further steps were taken since the judgment, adding that following the death of Rice’ former attorney, “there was has been lack of communication.”

     

  • $8.4m fraud : Ajudua challenges EFCC’s power to prosecute him

    Lagos lawyer, Fred Ajudua has challenged the power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him.

    The development stalled  his trial before Justice  Josephine Oyefeso at the Ikeja high court on Thursday.

    Ajudua was initially being tried before Justice Kudirat Jose but was last year transferred to Justice Oyefeso.

    The EFCC is prosecuting Ajudua for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi of various sum amounting to $8.4m while both of them were in Kirikiri prison.

    The EFCC had alleged that the defendant and his accomplices had approached Gen. Bamaiyi in Kirikiri prison and assured him that they would assist him to secure his freedom.

    Ajudua who was then facing trial for the attempted murder of the late Publisher of The Guardian newspaper, Mr Alex Ibru convinced Bamaiyi they could secure his freedom.

    Ajudua’s co-defendant and a former registrar of the high court, Oluronke Rosulu  had opted for separate trial when he failed to appear for trial after several adjournments.

    Rosulu was found guilty of complicity in the fraud and was last year sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

    At the resumed proceedings into the matter on Thursday, Ajudua, through his counsel, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN) opposed EFCC’s decision to re-arraign him on an amended charge.

    Quakers told the court that under the administration of criminal justice law, the EFCC has no powers to prosecute his client.

    Quakers was also opposed to the amended charges against Ajudua stating that his client cannot be arraigned on the new information before the court since the anti-graft agency failed to obtain his witness statement.

    EFCC’s counsel,  Seidu Atteh however countered the argument saying that it was not necessary for the EFCC to obtain statement from the defendant simply because the charges were amended.

    According to Atteh ,  Ajudua had personally refused to volunteer any statement to the commission over the allegations against him.

    The trial judge, Justice Oyefeso ordered the parties to harmonize their arguments instead of presenting them in peace-meal.

    She adjourned the matter till February 13, 2017 for hearing of argument from both parties.

  • Ajudua challenges EFCC power to prosecute fraud case

    Lagos lawyer, Fred Ajudua, has challenged the power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him.

    The development stalled his trial before Justice Josephine Oyefeso at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday.

    Ajudua was initially being tried before Justice Kudirat Jose but the case was l transferred to Justice Oyefeso last year.

    The EFCC is prosecuting Ajudua for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi  (rtd)of $8.4m while both of them were in Kirikiri prison.

    The EFCC had alleged that the defendant and his accomplices approached Bamaiyi in Kirikiri prison and assured him that they would assist him to secure his freedom.

    Ajudue was then facing trial for the attempted murder of the late Publisher of The Guardian newspaper, Mr. Alex Ibru and convinced Bamaiyi they could secure his freedom.

    Ajudua’s co-defendant and a former registrar of the court, Oluronke Rosulu, had opted for separate trial when he failed to appear for trial after several adjournments.

    Rosulu was found guilty of complicity in the fraud and was last year sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

     

  • Socialite to face fresh charges for allegedly defrauding Bamaiyi

    Socialite to face fresh charges for allegedly defrauding Bamaiyi

    Lagos socialite, Mr Fred Ajudua is to be re-arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ishaya Bamaiyi of one million US dollars.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh 28 count charge against Ajudua before the court presided by Justice Josephine  Oyefeso.

    The charges border on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Ajudua was initially arraigned before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo along with a former court registrar Mrs Oluronke Rosolu for allegedly defrauding Lt.Gen. Bamaiyi of 330,000 US dollars.

    The charges against the suspects were separated when Ajudua became elusive consequent upon which Mrs Rosolu alone went through trial and was jailed ten years December last year after being found guilty by the court.
    Part of the new charges read: “That you, Fred Chijindu Ajudua, Alumile Adedeji a.k.a Ade Bendel (still at large), Mr. Jonathan (still at large), Mr. Kenneth (still at large), Princess Amabong Williams (still at large) and others still at large on or about 16 December 2004 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $1,000,000 (One Million Dollars) from Lt. General Bamaiyi by falsely representing that the said sum was part payment for the professional fees purportedly charged by Chief Afe Babalola to handle Lt. Gen. Bamaiyi’s case and to facilitate General Bamaiyi’s release from prison custody.

    “That you, Fred Chijindu Ajudua, Alumile Adedeji a.k.a Ade Bendel (still at large), Mr. Jonathan (still at large), Mr. Kenneth (still at large), Princess Amabong Williams (still at large) and others still at large on or about 27 December 2004 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; with intent to defraud, obtained the sum $350,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars) from Lt. General Bamaiyi (rtd) by falsely representing that the said sum was part payment for the professional fees purportedly charged by Chief Afe Babalola to handle Lt. Gen Bamaiyi’s case and to facilitate Lt. General Bamaiyi’s release from prison custody.”

    Ajudua failed to appear before the court on Monday for re-arraignment alongside others said to be at large.

    His counsel, Mr Allens Agbaka  however undertook to produce Ajudua at the next sitting of the court.

    Agbaka told Justice Oyefeso  that he only stumbled on the matter Monday morning.

    “I tried to contact the defendant and got in touch with the younger sister, Gina Osuala who informed me that the defendant (Ajudua) is being hospitalised at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    “This is the first time I am hearing about this matter. I personally undertake to produce the defendant at the next adjourned date.

    “I will produce the defendant if we can get a clear date, maybe by January”, he requested.

    Justice Oyefeso granted his request and adjourned the matter till January 12, 2017 for Ajudua to be re-arraigned.

  • ‎Ajudua seeks court’s permission for treatment abroad

    Lagos socialite Fred Ajudua has filed an application before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, seeking permission to travel abroad for urgent surgery.

    Ajudua filed the application after he was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) before Justice Kudirat Jose on Thursday.

    The defendant was re-arraigned on amended $8.4million fraud charges.

    He was initially arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye alongside a former court registrar, Oluronke Idowu Rosolu, who later opted‎ for separate trial.

    Rosulu has since been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment having been found culpable of the charges against her.

    In the amended 28- count charge, the EFCC alleged that Ajudua defrauded former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Col .Ishaya Bamaiyi, at the Kirikiri Prisons in 2004.

    Before the charges were read, Ajudua’s lawyer, Norrison Quakers (SAN) ,informed the court of a pending application dated May 10 by his client, seeking permission to travel abroad to attend to his failing health.

    Quakers told the court that Ajudua is seriously ill and requires urgent surgery abroad to salvage his solitary kidney.

  • Bamaiyi: Ex-court registrar fails polygraph examination

    A ‎polygraph expert, Mohammed Umar, on Tuesday told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that a former court registrar, Oluronke Rosolu, failed polygraph examination.

    ‎Rosolu, is facing trial for allegedly conspiring with others to defraud a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, to the tune of $330,000.‎

    She is arraigned for allegedly aiding a one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, to defraud Bamaiyi of the said sum.

    Umar, who is a quality control operative attached to the Polygraph Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja, was testifying before Justice Lateef Lawal- Akapo at the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday.

    ‎The defendant, who is a former registrar to Justice Joseph Oyewole, now a Justice of the Court of Appeal, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences and obtaining money by false pretences.

    The EFCC said the fraud took place while Bamaiyi and Ajudua were remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for separate criminal charges between November 2004 and June 2005.

    The anti-graft agency said Ajudua obtained the money from Bamaiyi by claiming that it represented the professional fees charged by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to handle his case.

    He allegedly claimed that the money would help to facilitate Bamaiyi’s release from prison.

  • Bamaiyi: Law firm denies receiving money from Ajudua

    Chief Afe Babalola law firm on Tuesday denied receiving payments for professional fees from a one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, to represent a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi.

    The firm disclosed this through its Managing Partner, Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN), while testifying at the trial of a court registrar, Oluronke Rosolu, before a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

    Led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, Adenipekun told the court presided over by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo that as the head of the chamber’s administration during the period the said transaction took place, he would know if any payment was made to the law firm.

    He contended that the law firm had no deal with either Bamaiyi or Ajudua.

    “Ajudua did not brief our firm to represent Bamaiyi at any time. That is not correct. We did not receive any legal fee from Ajudua in respect of the general.

    “We were never briefed to represent Bamaiyi and we did not receive any money from Ajudua,” Adenipekun maintained.

    After the Managing Partner’s testimony, the court adjourned the matter till Wednesday for continuation of trial.

    Bamaiyi had alleged that Rosulu, a former registrar to Justice Joseph Oyewole, collected $330,000 from him on behalf of Ajudua in November 20, 2004.