$8.4M fraud: Court orders prison authority to produce Ajudua for trial

Justice Oyefeso issued the bench warrant following the absence of Ajudua for yesterday’s proceedings, which in turn stalled his trial. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Ajudua for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Ishaya Bamaiyi, of the some of $8.4 million while they were both inmates at the Kirikiri prisons, lagos in 2004. The antigraft agency alleged that Ajudua, together with his accomplices, approached Bamaiyi and convinced him that he could secure his freedom and also secure legal services on his behalf while in prison. Explaining his absence to the court, Ajudua’s lawyer, Alex Agbaka said that he was surprised his client was not present in court. Agbaka said, “we are surprised that the defendant is not in court. But we are aware that he is presently in the custody of the Kirkiri Maximum Prison, pursuant to an order made by your learned brother, Justice Mojisola Dada. “Justice Dada issued his remand in a sister case titled: ID/16C/2005- Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Fred Ajudua. “We are also aware that he took ill while in their custody and that maybe the reason for his absence today,” he said. However, the Prosecution Counsel, T. J Banjo sighed in agreement to the claims made by Ajudua’s lawyer. Banjo said, “the prosecution is aware of his incarceration at the Kirikiri Maximum prison and that explains why his not here. But we shall be asking for a production warrant for him to be produced at the next adjourned date”. After listening to both parties, the judge said that the matter was for a ruling and that the ruling cannot be read in the absence of the defendant. Justice Oyefeso thereafter adjourned the matter till September 24 for ruling and October 2 for continuation of trial.]]>