A Lagos Special Offences Court has rejected the bail application filed by Fred Ajudua, who sought release from custody based on health grounds. The ruling delivered yesterday at the Ikeja court marks another setback for the defendant in the long-running fraud case.
Court's Firm Stance on Medical Evidence
Justice Mojisola Dada, while delivering her ruling, stated that the medical reports from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) presented no new circumstances that would justify granting bail. The judge emphasized that the medical documents failed to demonstrate that LUTH could not properly manage Ajudua's health condition.
"The application is unmeritorious and the application is hereby struck out," Justice Dada declared during the court session. She further noted that nothing in the application warranted changing the defendant's current circumstances.
Long-Running Fraud Case Background
Fred Ajudua is facing trial for allegedly obtaining $1.043 million from a Palestinian national, Zad Abu Zalaf, under fraudulent circumstances. The case has been ongoing since 2005 and has experienced numerous delays and reassignments to different judges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against Ajudua. The case has been handled by multiple justices over the years, including Justice Josephine Oyefeso before being reassigned to Justice Dada. Ajudua was re-arraigned on June 4, 2018, under the current judge's supervision.
Legal Maneuvers and Next Steps
During the proceedings, Ajudua's counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court about a motion dated November 17, 2025, challenging the competence of the third prosecution witness (PW3) to continue giving evidence. Ojo noted that while the prosecution had been served, no response had been received.
EFCC counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, confirmed receiving the application but requested time to prepare a legal response. The court has subsequently adjourned the case to November 28, 2025, for hearing the pending application and continuation of the trial.
The defense team's attempt to secure bail on health grounds has failed, ensuring that Ajudua remains in custody as the legal battle continues. This development represents another chapter in the nearly two-decade-long case that has seen multiple procedural delays and legal challenges.
