Ajudua remanded in prison after eight-year failed arrest

[Punch]

A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday ordered that an alleged fraudster, Mr. Fred Ajudua, be remanded in prison.

Justice Joseph Oyewole gave the order when Ajudua made his first appearance in court after he avoided trial for eight years.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had, in 2003, arraigned Ajudua and his co-accused, Charles Hijiudu, for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen – of about $1.69m between July 1999 and September 2000.

The matter, which had proceeded to trial, had been stalled after he stopped attending court. In December 2005, the court revoked the bail earlier granted him.

The judge said in a ruling on Tuesday, "The first defendant ceased to be on bail since December 15, 2005, when his bail was revoked.

"The case has been held up as the agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been unable to execute the warrant of arrest issued on January 24, 2005.

"The first defendant is hereby ordered to be remanded in prison.

"The Superintendent of Prison shall ensure that the accused is given unrestricted access to medical treatment, including being taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital as an out patient when occasions demand."

Justice Oyewole had, in January 2006, issued a bench warrant, directing the police to arrest the accused and bring him to court, due to his continued absence from court.

However, for eight years, the police were unable to execute the court's order of arrest.

EFCC's counsel, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), on Tuesday opposed Ajudua's application seeking to reverse the order of arrest.

However, Oyewole rescinded the order of arrest, following the accused person's appearance in court.

He said since the accused person's bail had been revoked, it would still remain for him to justify it if he was worthy of being granted fresh bail.

But he rejected the appeal by the defence counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, for the remand of the accused in EFCC custody.

The judge also declined an alternative appeal to allow the accused attend to his treatment as an out-patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital under "the eagle's eyes of designated EFCC's operatives."

He adjourned till June 24 for hearing of Ajudua's bail application, and possibly his application seeking to quash the charges.

The Punch