A Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Thursday declined a fresh bail application filed by Fred Ajudua, who sought release on health grounds.
Justice Mojisola Dada ruled that there was no new circumstance in the medical reports submitted by the defendant from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) that could justify granting bail.
She held that the reports did not indicate that LUTH could not manage Ajudua’s condition.
“The application is unmeritorious and the application is hereby struck out,” the judge said.
Mr Ajudua is on trial for allegedly obtaining $1.043 million from a Palestinian, Zad Abu Zalaf, in fraudulent circumstances.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charge, which has been before the court since 2005.
The matter was previously assigned to Justice Josephine Oyefeso before being transferred to Justice Dada, who re-arraigned the defendant on June 4, 2018.
Following the ruling, Fred Ajudua’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, informed the court of an application dated November 17, challenging the competence of the third prosecution witness to continue giving evidence.
He said the prosecution had been served but had not responded.
EFCC counsel, Seidu Atteh, confirmed receipt of the application and requested a date to reply on points of law.
Justice Dada adjourned the case to November 28, for hearing of the pending application and continuation of trial.
