By Abiola Olawale
The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has rejected a fresh bail application brought before it by controversial businessman, Chief Fred Ajudua, who is facing charges of defrauding a Palestinian national of $1,043,000.
Justice Mojisola Dada, while presiding over the case, declined the request, citing pending subsisting matter’s before the Supreme Court.
Ajudua, assisted by medical personnel from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), appeared in court on July 30, 2025.
His counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had argued for bail, citing what he drescribed as Ajudua’s chronic kidney disease and urgent medical needs, stating, “Only the living can face trial.”
Despite these claims, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the application.
Prosecuting counsel Seidu Atteh argued that Ajudua’s existing Supreme Court appeals, including one seeking to overturn a May 9, 2025, judgment revoking his earlier bail, should take precedence.
After arguments, Justice Dada ruled: “In view of the applications filed at the Supreme Court, I am constrained to make any decision concerning this instant application. I will abide by the decisions of the Supreme Court.”
The court adjourned the case to October 10, 31, and November 20, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
The New Diplomat reports that controversial Ajudua is accused of fraudulently obtaining $1,043,000 from a Palestinian businessman Zad Abu Zalaf under false pretenses in 1993.
The case, which began in 2005 before Justice M.O. Obadina, has faced numerous delays due to legal technicalities.
Reassigned to Justice Josephine Oyefeso and later to Justice Dada, Ajudua was formally arraigned on June 4, 2018, on a 12-count charge of fraud and conspiracy.
The EFCC alleged that Ajudua, alongside an accomplice, one Joseph Ochunor (currently at large), forged Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) documents to deceive and lure Zalaf into a dubious deal.
The prosecution presented its third witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, who testified about the EFCC’s investigation, which involved obtaining documents from multiple institutions. However, the defense objected to some documents’ admissibility, leading Justice Dada to admit two as exhibits while rejecting others.
