$8.4m fraud: Fred Ajudua trial stalled again
The scheduled trial of businessman, Fred Ajudua alleged to have defrauded former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi of $8.4m was on Thursday stalled, following a new application filed, challenging the power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him.
Fred Ajudua was charged to court by the EFCC for allegedly collecting various sums of money from Mr. Bamaiyi while the duo were in custody at Kirikiri prison, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, the defendant and his accomplices had approached Mr. Bamaiyi, who was facing trial for the attempted murder of Alex Ibru, the late publisher of The Guardian newspaper, and convinced him they could secure his freedom.
Ajudua’s co-defendant, Oluronke Rosulu, who had opted for separate trial, was last year sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by Justice Lawal-Akapo.
Ajudua’s trial was originally before Justice Kudirat Jose but was last year transferred to Justice Oyefeso.
At the resumed proceedings on Thursday, Ajudua opposed EFCC’s effort to re-arraign him on an amended charge.
Ajudua’s lawyer, Mr. S.A Quakers, SAN told the court that under the administration of criminal justice law, the EFCC has no powers to prosecute his client.
Quakers further raised objection against the amended charges stating that his client cannot be arraigned on the new information before the court since the anti-graft agency failed to obtain his witness statement.
Counsel to EFCC, Seidu Atteh, however countered the argument saying that it was not necessary for the EFCC to obtain statement from the defendant simply because the charges were amended.
Atteh pointed out that Ajudua had personally refused to volunteer any statement to the commission over the allegations against him.
In her brief remark, trial judge, Justice Oyefeso insisted that parties should harmonize their arguments.
She adjourned that matter till February 13, 2017 for hearing.
