Alleged Fraud: Fred Ajudua Seeks Fresh Bail, Cites Failing Health

Embattled Lagos businessman and alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua, has once again approached the Special Offences Division of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, seeking bail over what his lawyer described as deteriorating health conditions.

Ajudua, dressed in a white native attire and leaning on a walking stick, appeared in court on Friday where his counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that he had filed a notice of withdrawal of an application previously lodged at the Supreme Court, paving the way for the high court to rule on his bail request.

Ojo told the court that the withdrawal of the motion at the Supreme Court was a strategic step to allow the trial court to deliver its ruling on Ajudua’s bail application without further delay.

“We decided to withdraw the motion we filed at the Supreme Court to allow this Honourable Court to deliver its ruling on the bail application,” Ojo said.

The defence counsel also tendered an affidavit and a copy of the notice of withdrawal to the court as evidence of compliance.

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Ojo noted that despite suffering from chronic kidney disease and severe hypertension, his client appeared in court to demonstrate good faith and respect for his legal obligations.

“He insisted on appearing in court even with his medical condition, as he remains committed to complying with his undertakings,” the senior advocate told the court, urging Justice Mojisola Dada to proceed with the bail ruling.

EFCC Opposes Bail, Cites Pending Supreme Court Process

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the defence application, arguing that the withdrawal notice at the Supreme Court was yet to be formally ruled upon.

The prosecuting counsel, Seidu Atteh, told the court that the case was still listed at the apex court, insisting that the trial court should wait until the Supreme Court issues an official order acknowledging the withdrawal.

“The defendant will need to produce the order of the Supreme Court either dismissing or striking out the notice of withdrawal. We urge the trial court to await the decision of the Supreme Court,” Atteh said.

In her ruling, Justice Dada agreed with the prosecution, holding that the trial court must ensure due process before acting on the matter.

“This court, being a court of record, must be satisfied that the notice of withdrawal is before the Supreme Court and that the outcome is duly filed in this court,” the judge ruled.

EFCC Witness Cross-Examined

After the ruling on the bail arguments, the court proceeded with the ongoing trial. The third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an EFCC investigator, was cross-examined by the defence.

Afanda, who joined the anti-graft agency in 2009, told the court that he became involved in Ajudua’s case after it was transferred from the Nigerian Police Force’s Special Fraud Unit (SFU) to the EFCC’s Advance Fee Fraud Section.

He testified that the EFCC contacted several institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Commission’s forensic laboratory, as part of its investigation.

The witness also confirmed that the Commission interviewed the complainant, Zad Abu Zalaf, and another individual, Michel Opkema, both of whom provided key information to investigators.

“I personally visited the defendant at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, and I have documented proof of that visit,” Afanda said, adding that Ajudua’s statements to the police formed part of the EFCC’s investigation file.

However, he admitted under cross-examination that the EFCC itself did not obtain any fresh statement directly from Ajudua.

Court Adjourns Over Health Scare

The proceedings were temporarily halted when Ajudua requested a restroom break. Upon his return, he complained to his lawyer that he noticed blood discharge while using the toilet.

His counsel, Ojo, immediately sought an adjournment to enable the defendant to attend to his health.

Justice Dada granted the request and adjourned the matter to October 31, 2025, for continuation of the cross-examination of the witness.

Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000 under false pretences.

The EFCC accuses him of obtaining the money by claiming he could facilitate a lucrative oil contract and other business deals.

The defendant, who has faced multiple fraud-related cases over the years, continues to deny the allegations, insisting on his innocence.

His health challenges and repeated bail applications have become recurring themes in the long-running trial, which has now stretched across several years at the Lagos High Court.