Fred Ajudua Files Fresh Bail Application After Losing at Supreme Court

Spread the love

Businessman and socialite Fred Ajudua has returned to the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, with a fresh bail application following his recent defeat at the Supreme Court on May 9.

Ajudua is currently on trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Mr. Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000 under false pretences.

Defence Withdraws Appeal at Supreme Court

Appearing in court dressed in white traditional attire and leaning on a walking stick, Ajudua’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that his client had withdrawn the motion pending at the Supreme Court to allow the high court to decide on his new bail request.

“We decided to withdraw the motion we filed at the Supreme Court to allow this Honourable Court to deliver its ruling on the bail application,” Ojo told the court.

The defence submitted an affidavit and a copy of the notice of withdrawal as evidence. Ojo added that despite battling chronic kidney disease and severe hypertension, Ajudua appeared in court to fulfil his legal obligations.

EFCC Opposes Fresh Bail Bid

However, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Seidu Atteh, opposed the application, arguing that the motion at the Supreme Court was still listed for hearing, and that the trial court should wait for the apex court’s formal order acknowledging the withdrawal.

“The defendant will need to produce the order of the Supreme Court either dismissing or striking out the notice of withdrawal. We urge the trial court to await the decision of the Supreme Court,” Atteh said.

Court Upholds EFCC’s Objection

In her ruling, Justice Mojisola Dada agreed with the EFCC’s position, noting that the trial court must adhere strictly to due process before ruling on the bail matter.

“This court being a court of record must be satisfied that the notice of withdrawal is before the Supreme Court and same must be considered with the outcome filed in this court,” she stated.

The court then proceeded with the continuation of the trial.

EFCC Investigator Testifies

During cross-examination, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an EFCC investigator, detailed how the commission took over the case from the Police Special Fraud Unit in 2009 and conducted further investigations.

He said the EFCC contacted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and its forensic lab during the inquiry.

Emmanuel confirmed interviewing both Zad Abu Zalaf and Michel Opkema, and also visiting Ajudua at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, where their interactions were documented.

He noted that while Ajudua’s earlier police statements were included in the EFCC’s report, no new statements were taken from him by the anti-graft agency.