$1.69m fraud: court dismisses Fred Ajudua bail application

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(Nigeria) A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday denied the bail application filed by one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, accused of defrauding two Dutch businessmen of $1.69 million (about N252.8 million).
Justice Kudirat Jose in a ruling on the bail application filed by Ajudua's counsel, dismissed it for lack of merit.
Justice Jose 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 stated that Ajudua was admitted at LUTH on August 3, 2013, and was treated for hypertension, traumatic haematuria and enlarged prostate gland.
She said upon Ajudua's discharge on January 12, this year, the doctors recommended further treatment and possible corrective surgery to ameliorate his condition.
``These reports show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention. However, the reports have not shown that he cannot be treated while still in prison,’’ the court held.
The judge said Ajudua had also failed to convince the court that he would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if the bail was granted.
``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.
Ajudua and one Charles Orie, are being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding the businessmen, Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen.
They were re-arraigned before Jose on February  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, Lagos, pending the determination of the trial.
The trial had been adjourned to April 28 for commencement.

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