Alleged $1.043m Fraud: Court Rejects Ajudua’s Fresh Bail Application

Ajudua

By JUMOKE SANNI

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has dismissed a fresh bail application filed by socialite Fred Ajudua, who is standing trial for allegedly defrauding Palestinian businessman Zad Abu Zalaf of $1.043 million.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Justice Dada held that Ajudua failed to present new or compelling facts capable of justifying another bail request. She described the application as “not meritorious” and subsequently struck it out.

The judge noted that the two medical reports submitted from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) offered no evidence that the hospital could not adequately manage the defendant’s health condition.

According to her, “there is nothing alarming in the application that will warrant a change in the circumstance of the defendant… The application is unmeritorious and is hereby struck out.”

Following the ruling, Ajudua’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court of a pending application dated November 17, 2025, challenging the competence of the third prosecution witness (PW3) to continue his testimony. Ojo noted that although the prosecution had been served with the motion, it had not yet filed a response.

“It is expedient, my Lord, that this motion be heard and determined before the continuation of trial. Nevertheless, your Lordship’s decision is final,” Ojo said.

Prosecuting counsel, Seidu Atteh confirmed receipt of the application and requested time to respond on points of law.