28th January, 2014
The trial of alleged fraud kingpin, Fred Ajudua, over allegation of duping two Dutchmen, Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of US$1.69m could not proceed on Tuesday due to the absence of prosecution counsel.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter till 5 February for re- arraignment because the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was not represented at the proceeding.
Ajudua was scheduled to be re-arraigned Tuesday before Justice Kudirat Jose following the transfer of the matter from Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.
Justice Oyewole’s withdrawal followed a petition written to the EFCC by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd.), alleging that Ajudua used the names of the judge and others to defraud him of about $8.395 million.
Bamaiyi alleged that Ajudua fraudulently collected the money from him between November 2004 and June 2005.
The petition has led to fresh charges against Ajudua by the EFCC.
Ajudua’s formal arraignment on the fresh charges has been fixed for 12 February before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.
—Henry Ojelu