The Supreme Court has overturned a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal that granted bail to Lagos businessman and socialite Fred Ajudua, ordering his immediate return to prison after his conviction for advance fee fraud.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, the apex court ruled that the Appeal Court erred in its decision to release Ajudua on bail, affirming that the trial should continue without further delay. The case involves allegations that Ajudua defrauded a Palestinian national, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000 over 30 years ago.
The court further directed Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court to resume hearing the criminal proceedings, which have suffered repeated setbacks since they began in 2005.
Initially arraigned before Justice M.O. Obadina in Ikeja, Ajudua was accused of using legal technicalities to frustrate the case for years. The matter was subsequently reassigned—first to Justice Josephine Oyefeso, and later to Justice Dada, who denied Ajudua bail in 2018, citing health reasons as unconvincing and the prolonged delays as detrimental to justice.
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“This is one of the oldest criminal cases in Lagos State,” Justice Dada said during the 2018 ruling. “Bail is refused. The defendant is to be remanded in prison custody.”
Ajudua’s legal team, led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), challenged the decision at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal. Justice Garba of the appellate court ruled in Ajudua’s favour, arguing that bail was a constitutional right and reinstated the businessman’s previous bail conditions.
Dissatisfied, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission escalated the case to the Supreme Court, which has now sided with the prosecution.
With this new development, all eyes will turn once again to the Lagos High Court as the lengthy trial—dormant for years—resumes under renewed judicial scrutiny.
Crediblenewsng.com
