Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
Notorious Lagos socialite and alleged serial fraudster, Fred Ajudua, will remain behind bars following the refusal of a Lagos High Court to grant his fresh bail application in a long-standing $1.04 million fraud case.
Ajudua, a former lawyer, is standing trial before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd.), of $1.04 million while both men were incarcerated at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in the early 2000s.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Ajudua’s legal team filed a renewed application for bail on medical grounds, citing deteriorating health conditions and alleged inhumane treatment in detention. However, the court was unconvinced, ruling that the grounds presented lacked merit and failed to establish any new compelling reason for his release.
Justice Dada emphasized that Ajudua had previously abused the liberty of bail in similar high-profile cases and had shown a pattern of evading justice over the years. She maintained that the integrity of the trial would be best preserved by keeping the defendant in custody pending the conclusion of the case.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ajudua allegedly obtained the $1.04 million from Bamaiyi under the false pretense that it would be used to secure legal services from prominent lawyers, including Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). The anti-graft agency contends that no such services were ever rendered and that the funds were diverted for personal use.
The prosecution insists it has substantial evidence, including bank transactions and witness testimonies, linking Ajudua to the fraud. His continued detention, the EFCC argues, is necessary to ensure he does not interfere with witnesses or the judicial process.
Fred Ajudua has been entangled in multiple fraud cases dating back to the early 2000s and is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most infamous alleged 419 kingpins. Despite several arrests and court appearances over the years, convictions have remained elusive, often due to technical delays and legal maneuvers.
The case was adjourned to a later date for continuation of trial.
As public interest in the trial remains high, many Nigerians await what they hope will be a conclusive judgment in one of the country’s longest-running fraud cases.
