Appeal Court reserves judgments on Fred Ajudua's $8.3million fraud case

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has reserved judgments in two separate appeals filed by a business man and one time socialite, Mr Fred Ajudua.

Mr Ajudua is challenging the ruling of Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja which refused his bail application.


Justice Ipaye had refused bail in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC on allegations of defrauding former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd.) of about $8.395 million.

While refusing Ajudua’s bail application, Justice Ipaye had made reference to Ajudua’s antecedents in separate criminal matters before another Lagos State High Court where the defendant not only jumped bail but also allegedly interfered with the court process.

Dissatisfied, Ajudua appealed against the ruling and urged the appellate court to set it aside.

The appeal court reserved judgement following the adoption of brief of arguments by Ajudua’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo and that of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Saidu Atteh.

Adopting his brief of argument, Ajudua’s lawyer formulated four issues for determination and urged the court to determine whether the lower court was right when it refused to admit the appellant on bail despite his heath condition.

Ojo maintained that the facilities at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison are grossly inadequate and cannot take care of Ajudua’s health.

Besides, he argued that because of the peculiar and complicated nature of Ajudua’s ailment, he requires specialist with hi-tech medical equipment to manage his health effectively.

In his response, lawyer to the EFCC, Saidu Atteh, submitted that the medical needs of Mr Ajudua can be taken care of where he is detained and that should the need arise, the EFCC was prepared to provide medical services for him within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Rita Pemu also reserved judgement in a separate appeal filed by Ajudua on the refusal of the lower court to allow him make extra-judicial statement in response to the allegations levelled against him.

On the issue of some extra-judicial statement, Ojo argued that it is the duty of court in all cases particularly in criminal cases and where the liberty of the accused is at stake to ensure that justice is done.

He urged the court to allow his appeal and set aside the ruling of the lower court.


Credit: Channels