HOW COURT REGISTRAR STALLED TRIAL OF FRED AJUDUA IN $8.4 M FRAUD

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Renowned fraudster, Mr. Fred Ajudua could not be produce in court today in his ongoing trial for $8.4 million fraud. This is due to failure of the court registrar to issue a production warrant to authorities of Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos. Ajudua, is on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for defrauding Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff to the tune of $8.4million.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso of a Lagos State High Court was to rule on Ajudua’s application to quash all charges. Reacting to the development, Ajudua’s defence counsel, Mr Alex Agbaka, told the court that documents needed to ensure attendance of the defendant were not served on the prison authorities.

Responding Justice Oyefeso enquired if the court registrars had issued an apology to Agbaka and Mr Temitope Banjo, prosecution counsel for the EFCC.

When the court registrars answered in the affirmative, Justice Oyefeso cautioned them against a repeat of the omission and adjourned the case until Sept. 27 for the ruling.

Ajudua, allegedly defrauded the former Chief of Army Staff of $8.4million while they were both custody in Kirikiri Prisons in 2004. Bamaiyi was in custody for treason while Ajudua was in custody for fraud related offences.

Ajudua, alongside some accomplices, had allegedly approached Bamaiyi and convinced him that he could hire the legal services of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to help secure his freedom with Bamaiyi giving Ajudua $8.4million as legal fees.

When the alleged fraud came to light, the law chambers of Afe Babalola and Co issued a disclaimer disassociating itself from the case.