$1m fraud trial: EFCC investigator testifies as Ajudua battles for fresh bail

The trial of alleged serial fraudster, Fred Ajudua, continued on Friday before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, with a third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, testifying for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Emmanuel, an EFCC investigator who joined the Commission in 2009, told the court that he became involved in the case after it was transferred from the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Fraud Unit to the EFCC’s Advance Fee Fraud Section.

He said the agency reached out to institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the EFCC’s forensic laboratory during its investigation into the alleged $1,043,000 fraud involving a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf.

According to the witness, he interviewed both Mr. Zalaf and another individual, Michel Opkema, and also visited Ajudua at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, where relevant documents were obtained.

During cross-examination, Emmanuel admitted that the EFCC did not take fresh statements from the defendant after the case was handed over from the police.

The proceedings were briefly interrupted when Ajudua requested a toilet break. Upon his return, dressed in white traditional attire and using a walking stick, he complained to his lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), that he was bleeding. Ojo then sought an adjournment to allow his client to attend to his health condition.

Earlier in the session, Ojo informed the court that Ajudua had filed a new bail application after withdrawing a related motion pending before the Supreme Court.

He explained that the move was to allow the trial court to deliver its ruling on the fresh application.

“We decided to withdraw the motion we filed at the Supreme Court to allow this Honourable Court deliver its ruling on the bail application,” Ojo said while submitting an affidavit and a copy of the withdrawal notice.

However, EFCC’s counsel, Seidu Atteh, opposed the application, arguing that the notice of withdrawal was still before the Supreme Court.

“The defendant must produce an order of the Supreme Court either dismissing or striking out the notice of withdrawal. We urge this court to await the decision of the Supreme Court,” he stated.

In her ruling, Justice Dada agreed with the prosecution, noting that the trial court must verify the status of the withdrawal before proceeding.

“This court, being a court of record, must be satisfied that the notice of withdrawal has been properly filed and considered by the Supreme Court,” she ruled.

The case was adjourned to October 31 for continuation of cross-examination.

Ajudua is accused of defrauding Zad Abu Zalaf of $1.043 million under false pretence.

In May, the Supreme Court revoked his earlier bail and ordered his remand in prison.

The EFCC has since opposed his fresh bail bid, insisting the trial court should await the Supreme Court’s decision.