8 yrs after jumping bail, Fred Ajudua re-arraigned for alleged fraud

 

After eight years of absconding from trial, alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua, reappeared in court yesterday to answer charges of fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Ajudua and one Charles Hijiudu in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two foreigners, Messrs Remy Gina and Pierre Vijgen of $1.69million. The crime was said to have been committed between July 1999 and September 2000.
Ajudua, who had since been issued a bench warrant by a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, since January 24, 2005 was, however, remanded in prison custody by Justice Joseph Oyewole.
The court ordered that Ajudua should remain in prison custody till June 24 when his bail application would be heard. Justice Oyewole had in January 2006 issued a bench warrant directing the police to arrest the accused and bring him to court, due to his continued absence at the court sittings.
At the resumed sitting of the court yesterday, Justice Oyewole ruled that the “first defendant ceased to be on bail since December 15, 2005 when his bail was revoked.
“The case has been held up as the agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria had been unable to execute the warrant of arrest issued on January 24, 2005. The first defendant is, hereby, ordered to be remanded in prison. The Superintendent of Prisons shall ensure that the accused is given unrestricted access to medical treatment including being taken to LUTH as an out-patient when occasions demand,”  Justice Oyewole said.
Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), had opposed the application seeking the reversal of the order of arrest.
But the judge reversed the order on ground that Ajudua had appeared in court. Justice Oyewole said since the accused person’s bail had been revoked; it would still remain for him to convince the court if he deserved to be released on bail.
The court also rejected a plea by the defence counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody while the judge also declined an alternative appeal to allow Ajudua to attend to his treatment as an out-patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The court later adjourned till June 24 for further hearing for the bail application of Ajudua.

SUN