Bamaiyi: Ajudua challenges EFCC’s right to prosecute him over $4.8m fraud

A one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, on Monday in Lagos challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over a $4.8 million fraud charge it slammed against him.
Ajudua, who challenged the right of the commission to prosecute him for defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi, is also challenging the jurisdiction of an Ikeja High Court to try the case.
The EFCC had accused Ajudua of defrauding Bamaiyi, while both were in prison custody in 2004 for different offences.
the EFCC said Ajudua had approached Bamaiyi, who was facing trial for the attempted murder of Alex Ibru, the late publisher of the Guardian Newspaper, and convinced him that he could help to secure his freedom.
According to the commission, Ajudua received $4.8 million from Bamaiyi under the guise that the money was the legal fees for the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola and Co.
Ronke Rosulu, a court Registrar and Ajudua’s alleged accomplice, who helped him funnel the funds from the prison, was sentenced in a separate trial on December 21, 2005 to 10 years in prison by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.
During Monday’s proceeding, counsel to Ajudua, Norrison Quakers, in an application dated January 6 challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
He also urged the court to quash the charge brought against Ajudua by the EFCC.
Quakers said: “We have filed an affidavit and a reply in points of law challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear this case.
“The law provides also provides that an information in this charge can only be filed by the Attorney-General of the state and not the EFCC.”
Responding, counsel to the EFCC, S.A. Atteh, said there was a judgment of the Court of Appeal upholding the right of the EFCC to prosecute the case.
Ateh said: “We have filed a counter-affidavit dated February 9 urging the court to allow the judgment of the Court of Appeal on whether the EFCC has a fiat to prosecute this case.
“I urge the court to dismiss the application of the defence and call the defendant to take his plea.”
Justice Oyefeso adjourned the case to March 30 for ruling.