From Matthew Irinoye, Lagos
Justice Kudirat Jose of a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja yesterday denied bail application filed by a suspected fraudster, Fred Ajudua,who was alleged to have defrauded two Dutch businessmen of $1.69 million (about N252.8 million).
The judge who dismissed the bail application filed by Ajudua’s counsel, Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN) for lack of merit, held that the medical reports issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital
(LUTH), showed that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments as a result of having a solitary kidney.
She held that Ajudua was admitted at LUTH on August 3, 2013, and was treated for hypertension, traumatic haematuria and enlarged prostate gland.
The judge added that Ajudua’s discharge on January 12, 2014; the doctors recommended further treatment and possible corrective surgery to ameliorate his condition.
“These reports show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention.
“However, the reports have not shown that he cannot be treated while still in prison,’’ she maintained.
The judge however, said Ajudua had also failed to convince the court that he would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if the bail was granted.
“Ajudua has not shown to the court why he was not able to come to his trial between 2008 and 2013. He did not respond to the allegation that he had tampered with a witness in the trial.
“Due to his absence, the matter has been stalled since 2006”, the Judge held.
It would be recalled that, Ajudua and one Charles Orie, are being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding the businessmen, Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen.
The defendants were re-arraigned before Jose on February 5, 2014 following the transfer of the case from the former trial judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole.
Jose, permitted Orie to enjoy the bail granted him by Oyewole, but ordered that Ajudua should remain in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, pending the determination of the trial.
The matter was adjourned to April 28, 2014 for commencement of trial.
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