$1.69m Fraud: Court Denies Ajudua Bail

An Ikeja High Court yesterday refused to grant bail to a one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua.

Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen the sum of $1.69 million.

Justice Kudirat Jose denied him bail on the ground that it was lacking in merit based on his antecedents to have jumped bail in 2006 and tampering with evidence.

Ajudua and one Charles Orie are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding the businessmen – Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen.

The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Jose on February 5 following the transfer of the case from the former trial judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole.
The judge said from the medical reports attached to the application, which were issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), it was evident that Ajudua was not a very healthy man.

Justice Jose said Ajudua was admitted at LUTH on August 3, 2013 and was treated for hypertension, traumatic haematuria and enlarged prostrate gland which arose from having only one kidney.

She said doctors had also recommended further treatment and possible corrective surgery to address his failing health, adding that the reports however did not show that Ajudua cannot be treated while still in prison.

The judge said Ajudua in his application had not been able to convince the court that he would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if he was granted bail.
"The applicant (Ajudua) has not shown to the court why he was not able to come to his trial between 2006 and 2013.

"He did not respond to the allegation that he had tampered with a witness in the trial.
"Due to his absence, the matter has been stalled since 2006," justice Jose said.
The matter was adjourned till April 28 for commencement of trial.