$10.3m Fraud: EFCC Re-arraigns Ajudua For Defrauding Ex-Chief of Army Staff
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned alleged fraud kingpin, Fred Ajudua before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi of $10.3million.
He was re-arraigned on an eight count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences and obtaining money by false pretences before Justice Josephine Oyefeso.
Ajudua, was docked before the court after Justice Oyefeso dismissed his preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him.
The anti-graft agency had alleged that Ajudua while in custody at the Kirikiri Prisons for a fraud related offence, had approached Bamaiyi, who was facing trial for the attempted murder of Mr Alex Ibru, the late publisher of the Guardian Newspaper.
The commission also claimed that the accused person allegedly convinced the Bamaiyi that he could help to secure his freedom and secure legal services on his behalf.
“Ajudua received 10.3million dollars as well as N2 million from Bamaiyi on 23 occasions under the guise that the money was the legal fees for the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola and Co which was false,” the EFCC stated.
According to the anti-graft agency, the money ranging from $3,500 to $1.5million, was given to Ajudua and his accomplices on Bamaiyi’s behalf through ASP Abdullahi Garba, a prison officer, Mr Garba Tagda, Mr Danladi Yaro, Lt-Col. Timothy Chechet and Mrs Martha Bamaiyi.
Ajudua pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After the plea was taken, the EFCC counsel, Seidu Atteh said, “In view of the plea of the defendant, we shall be asking for a trial date and we request that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.”
But Ajudua’s counsel, Norrison Quakers (SAN) objected to the prosecution’s request for remand.
He said, “In view of the arraignment of the defendant, we ask that the defendant be granted bail.
“The defendant has always been physically present in court despite his health challenges and he sometimes gets to court at 8am or 8.15am before his lawyers.
“He has shown commitment to this trial, I ask that the bail granted to the defendant by the Court of Appeal to continue,” Quakers said.
Justice Oyefeso acceded to Norrison’s request and granted bail to Ajudua on the subsisting bail conditions granted to him by the Court of Appeal.
The judge held, “The essence of granting bail is to ensure the attendance of the defendant and Section 115 (2)(3) or the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) states that it is discretionary.
“The Court of Appeal granted bail to the defendant on Nov. 14, 2014, the defendant has faithfully attended trial and I hereby grant bail to the defendant,” Justice Oyefeso stated.
The case was adjourned until July 12 and 13 for hearing of pending applications.
