$8.4m Scam: Bamaiyi in court as Ajudua’s absence stalls trial

The absence of Fred Ajudua, a lawyer turned businessman, at an Ikeja High Court has stalled his criminal trial for allegedly defrauding retired Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former Chief of Army Staff of $8.4 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was scheduled to open its case against Mr Ajudua at the court on Wednesday while Mr Bamaiyi, the first prosecution witness, had flown to Lagos from Abuja to testify against Mr Ajudua. During the proceedings, Olalekan Ojo, the defence counsel for Mr Ajudua, had presented to the prosecution an application letter dated May 21 for an adjournment. Mr Ojo informed the court that the defendant was still at an India hospital to treat an undisclosed ailment. “We have attached to the application the latest medical report. The defendant will be in India till the end of June and I have no other information to the contrary,” he said. Seidu Atteh, the lead prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, objected to Mr Ojo’s request for a new adjournment date, insisting that the trial should continue on the previously scheduled date of May 28. The EFCC prosecutor also requested that Mr Ajudua should pay Mr Bamaiyi’s flight expenses. “We will be asking for the previously adjourned date of May 28 for us to do our findings in this matter. “We only became aware last night that the defendant will not be in court. “The defendant should be made to pay the costs of the witness who flew in all the way from Abuja,” Mr Atteh said. The defence did not object to the prosecution’s request that Mr Bamaiyi’s flight expenses should be paid. “It is fair and just as we did not get across to him early enough.” In her ruling, Justice Josephine Oyefeso ordered that Mr Ajudua should bear the expenses of Mr Bamaiyi and also acceded to the prosecution’s request and adjourned case until May 28 for trial. NAN reports that the court had on February 27 granted Mr Ajudua permission to travel to India for medical treatment. Mr Ajudua allegedly defrauded the former Chief of Army Staff of $8.4million while they were both in custody in Kirikiri Prisons in 2004. Mr Bamaiyi was in custody for treason while Mr Ajudua was in custody for fraud related offences. Mr Ajudua alongside some accomplices, had allegedly approached Mr Bamaiyi and convinced him that he could hire the legal services of Afe Babalola to help secure his freedom with Mr Bamaiyi giving Mr Ajudua $8.4 million as legal fees. When the alleged fraud came to light, the law chambers of Afe Babalola and Co. issued a disclaimer disassociating itself from the case. (NAN)]]>