Fred Ajudua Returns to Prison as Supreme Court Nullifies Bail

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the return of Lagos businessman Fred Ajudua to prison, overturning an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal that granted him bail in a long-standing $1 million fraud case.
In a unanimous verdict, the apex court ruled that the Court of Appeal erred in its judgment and directed that Ajudua be remanded in correctional custody. The Supreme Court also instructed Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court to resume the stalled trial.
Ajudua is facing trial for allegedly defrauding a German company of $1 million. The case, originally before Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Ikeja High Court, was refiled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and reassigned to Justice Dada.
When Ajudua was re-arraigned on July 6, 2018, Justice Dada denied him bail, citing the prolonged delays in the case, which had dragged on for over 13 years. “I am not persuaded. This is one of the oldest cases in Lagos State. Bail is refused,” she declared.
However, Ajudua’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, where Justice Garba granted bail, emphasizing it as a constitutional right.
Dissatisfied with the appellate ruling, the EFCC escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, which has now restored the trial court’s decision and remanded Ajudua.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks.