Justice Ganiyu Safari has granted suspected fraudster, Fred Ajudua bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum on the grounds of his failing health in a court sitting at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

Ajudua and his co-defendant Charles Orie are accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of duping Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, two Dutch businessmen, of US $1.69 million which is about N270 million.

Ajudua was first arraigned in 2003, and was granted bail two years later to seek medical attention in India over his kidney-related ailment.

He jumped bail and absconded for several years forcing the then trial judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole to revoke his bail and declare him wanted.

After seven years of running from justice, Ajudua finally surfaced two months ago to attend his trial and further sought for bail from the court.

Justice Oyewole promptly turned down his bail request and made an order remanding him in Kirikiri prison.

Just last week, while in prison, Ajudua’s lawyer, Mr Olalekan Ojo filed a fresh bail application on the ground that his client’s health has deteriorated.

He told the court that Ajudua was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) three weeks ago after a kidney malfunction that resulted in him passing out blood through his penis.

Wemimo Ogunde, counsel to the EFCC, opposed the bail application and insisted that Mr. Ajudua did not deserve a fresh bail.

Ogunde argued that there is a huge chance that Ajudua would abscond again if granted bail “as he ran away from trial for seven years.”

In his ruling on the matter today, Justice Safari held that Ajudua’s ill-health constituted an “exceptional circumstance”, for the court to grant him bail.

The court noted that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments which needed proper medical treatment unavailable at the prison facility.

According to the judge, a medical report dated August 13 which was issued by Dr Adebisi Ogunjimi of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), showed that Ajudua was rushed to the hospital on August 3.

The report said Ajudua who was having difficulty in passing urine was also hypertensive and had a solitary kidney.

Justice Safari said his health condition should not be allowed to worsen while the trial was still going on.

The court also said Ajudua’s antecedent, having jumped bail in 2005 after he went to Grant Medical Foundation in India for treatment, warranted a sterner term after having missed 40 court sittings which had stalled the conclusion of the matter which started in May 16, 2003.

Apart from the N50 million bail bonds, Justice Safari said the 2 sureties are to swear to an affidavit of means and present evidence of their three years tax clearance payable to the Lagos State Government.

He also ordered the sureties to deposit the title deeds of their buildings in Lagos to the Chief Registrar of the court.

Justice Safari said the title deeds of the properties must be verified by the Lagos State Lands Bureau while the EFCC is to verify their residential and business addresses.

He directed Ajudua to deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of the court and also not to travel outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.

Trial in the substantive suit before Justice Oyewole will however continue on the 24th of September.



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