Lagos socialite Fred Ajudua appeared before Justice M.A. Dada despite battling chronic kidney disease and hypertension as his $1.04 million fraud trial resumed in Ikeja
Fred Ajudua Battles Kidney Disease, Appears in Lagos Court as $1m Fraud Trial Resumes
Lagos, Nigeria – The trial of Lagos socialite Fred Ajudua resumed on Friday before Justice M.A. Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, with fresh revelations that the defendant is battling chronic kidney disease and severe hypertension.
Despite his frail condition, Ajudua appeared in court for the continuation of his long-running $1.04 million fraud case, in which he is accused of defrauding Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, under false pretences.
During the proceedings, Ajudua’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that his client had withdrawn a motion previously filed at the Supreme Court to allow the trial court to proceed with its ruling on his bail application.
“We decided to withdraw the motion we filed at the Supreme Court to allow this Honourable Court to deliver its ruling on the bail application,” Ojo told the court.
He noted that Ajudua’s attendance in court, despite his worsening health, underscored his commitment to fulfilling his legal obligations.
According to Ojo, the motion — initially filed on June 24, 2025 — was formally withdrawn on August 22, 2025, and relevant documents, including an affidavit and a notice of withdrawal, had been duly filed at the trial court.
However, prosecution counsel Seidu Atteh urged the court not to proceed immediately, insisting that the trial should await a formal pronouncement from the Supreme Court confirming the withdrawal.
“When you file a motion before the court, it is given a number. The applicant has the right to withdraw, but they must wait for a Supreme Court ruling,” Atteh argued, noting that the prosecution had already filed a counter-affidavit and written address on September 26, 2025.
EFCC Investigator Testifies
During cross-examination, the third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified that he first met Ajudua in 2005, shortly after the establishment of the Commission.
Emmanuel explained that Ajudua’s case file was transferred from the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) to the EFCC’s Advance Fee Fraud Section for further investigation.
He revealed that the EFCC reached out to key institutions — including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Commission’s forensic laboratory — in the course of its inquiry.
According to the witness, he interviewed both the complainant, Zad Abu Zalaf, and another individual, Michel Opkema, before visiting Ajudua at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, where he documented the interaction.
“Statements made by Ajudua to the Police formed part of our investigation report,” Emmanuel added.
Following the testimony, Justice Dada adjourned the case to October 31, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Despite serious health challenges, Lagos socialite Fred Ajudua continues to face trial over an alleged $1.04 million fraud case. The proceedings are set to resume on October 31, as the court awaits further clarity on his withdrawn motion at the Supreme Court. Read More
