The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fred Ajudua

  • N270m fraud: ‘Ajudua doesn’t deserve fresh bail’

    N270m fraud: ‘Ajudua doesn’t deserve fresh bail’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed a notice of appeal against the ruling of a Lagos High Court, which granted bail to suspected fraudster, Fred Ajudua.

    Ajudua and Charles Orie are on trial for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen of N270 million.

    Worried that Ajudua had frustrated his trial for seven years, the EFCC raised an objection to the defendant’s bail application on the grounds of failing health.

    But when the courts were on vacation, Justice Ganiyu Safari granted Ajudua bail for N50 million with two sureties to enable the defendant attend to his health.

    Dissatisfied by the ruling, the EFCC, in its notice of appeal, insisted that Ajudua did not deserve to be on bail.

    Signed by Oluwafifehan Ogunde, the notice stated that Ajudua, being a socialite, might interfere with prosecution witnesses.

    EFCC argued that the accused did not present any compelling medical report to warrant the decision of the court in his favour.

    Also, the substantive case before Justice Joseph Oyewole was yesterday adjourned till October 2, following disagreements between the two parties.

    Although Ajudua was absent in court, the second defendant, Orie, was present. But the parties could not reach an amicable agreement.

    Counsel to EFCC, Mrs. A. P. Sanusi, reminded the court that there was a pending motion before it went on vacation, adding that the prosecution was served four applications, filed by the first defendant. Ajudua’s lawyer, Richard Omohomreh, who admitted that he has four applications before the court, stated that the life of his client (Ajudua) was still in danger at the hospital.

  • Alleged fraud: Court remands Ajudua in prison

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday ordered a one-time socialite, Fred Ajudua, to remain in prison, pending the hearing and determination of the fraud charge preferred against him.

    Justice Joseph Oyewole, who dismissed Ajudua’s bail application, however, assured of an accelerated hearing of the case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ajudua and one Charles Orie, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003.

    The two men are being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of 1.69 million US dollars (N252.8 million).

    The case, which had proceeded to trial, was stalled after Ajudua, who was granted bail on medical grounds, absconded.

    The judge had on December 15, 2005, revoked Ajudua’s bail and had further issued a bench warrant for his arrest on January 24, 2006.

    However, on June 11, Ajudua voluntarily appeared before the court after an almost eight- year absence and was remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison by Oyewole.

    On June 25, Ajudua’s counsel, Mr. Allens Agbaka, filed an application asking the court to restore the previous bail or grant him bail on fresh terms.

    Agbaka said his client was suffering from a complicated ailment and needed regular medical treatment in India.

    He further presented a medical report issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on May 14, to back his claim.

    However, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), opposed the bail, arguing that Ajudua had deliberately delayed the trial and would abscond again if granted bail.

    Delivering his ruling, the judge said Ajudua had not provided sufficient materials before the court to warrant restoring the earlier bail or granting him a fresh one.

    Oyewole said the court had the discretion to grant bail, which must be exercise judicially and judiciously in the interest of justice.

    He recalled that Ajudua was granted permission to travel to India for medical treatment in 2005, and thereafter, absconded.