$1.69m fraud: Court dismisses Ajudua’s bail application
By Olorunfemi Ojo
An Ikeja High Court, this morning denied the bail application filed by one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, accused of defrauding two Dutch businessmen of 1.69 million dollars (about N252.8 million).
Justice Kudirat Jose while delivering her ruling on the bail application filed by Ajudua’s counsel, Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN), dismissed the bail application for lack of merit.
The judge said the medical reports issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), showed that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments as a result of having a solitary kidney.
The judge agreed that Ajudua was admitted at LUTH on Aug. 3, 2013, and was treated for hypertension, traumatic haematuria and enlarged prostate gland.
Justice Jose judgment however was based on the following facts:
That reports of diagnosis carried out on the accused show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention, but the reports have not shown that he cannot be treated while still in prison,’’ Jose ruled.
The judge further said, Ajudua had also failed to convince the court that he would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if the bail was granted.
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Ajudua has not shown to the court why he was not able to come to his trial between 2008 and 2013.
“He did not respond to the allegation that he had tampered with a witness in the trial.
“Due to his absence, the matter has been stalled since 2006.
“Given these circumstances, the applicant (Ajudua), ought not to be released on bail,’’ the judge said.
NigerianEcho had reported that Ajudua and one Charles Orie, are being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding duo of Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen.
They were re-arraigned before Jose on Feb. 5, 2014 following the transfer of the case from the former trial judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole.
Jose, who had earlier permitted Orie to enjoy the bail granted him by Oyewole, ordered that Ajudua should remain in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, pending the determination of the trial.
The judge adjourned to April 28 for commencement of the case.
