News
Court Adjourns Fred Ajudua’s Case Indefinitely In Alleged $1.043m Fraud
Court Adjourns Fred Ajudua’s Case Indefinitely In Alleged $1.043m Fraud
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, March 9, 2026, adjourned indefinitely (sine die) the trial of Fred Ajudua over an alleged $1,043,000 fraud.
Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian , Zad Abu Zalaf, of the sum of $1,043,000 (One Million, Forty-Three Thousand U.S. Dollars) under false pretences.
The case, which began in 2005 before Justice M.O. Obadina of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, encountered several delays due to legal technicalities employed by the defendant that stalled the proceedings and complicated his arraignment.
The matter was subsequently reassigned to Justice J.E. Oyefeso and later to Justice M.A. Dada, before whom Ajudua was finally arraigned on June 4, 2018.
Following the denial of his bail by Justice Dada, Ajudua appealed to the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, which granted him bail on September 10, 2018.
Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s ruling, the EFCC appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Commission also filed a separate appeal with suit number SC/912C/2018 challenging the appellate court’s decision to transfer the case from Justice Dada to another judge to commence afresh (de novo).
Both issues were resolved in favour of the appellant (prosecution) by the apex court, which remitted the case to the Chief Judge of Lagos State to be assigned to Justice Dada for the continuation of a speedy trial and its determination within the shortest possible time.
At the proceedings on Monday, the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that the defendant had filed a motion on notice before the court.
“This matter was earlier adjourned for the continuation of trial.
“However, there is a supervening factor, which is the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on January 30, 2026, allowing the appeal against the ruling of the Lagos State High Court refusing the defendant bail,” he said.
Ojo further told the court that a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment had been forwarded to the court and attached to the motion on notice filed by the defence on March 5, 2026.
According to him, the Court of Appeal granted bail to the defendant and also ordered that the substantive suit be remitted to another court to commence de novo.
The senior counsel to the defendant submitted that he was relying on the case of Ajudua v. FRN (2019) where the Court of Appeal gave a similar interpretation on the transfer of the case to start de novo.
He also informed the court that the complainant in the matter had appealed against the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“Until that judgment is set aside, the court must act on it. We have written a letter to the Chief Judge of Lagos State to reassign the case to another judge of the High Court of Lagos State,” he said.
Ojo argued that the present court no longer had the jurisdiction to continue with the case and could only direct that the case file be sent to the Chief Judge of Lagos State for reassignment.
Ojo (SAN) also informed the court that he was not relying on the motion filed on March 5, 2026 but on the Judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on January 30, 2026.
In response, the prosecuting counsel, S. K. Atteh, told the court that he received the application late on Friday.
Court
He added that although the Court of Appeal granted bail to the defendant, the judgment contained no order directing that the case be transferred to another court.
Atteh also informed the Court that counsel to the defendant had filed a motion at the Court of Appeal praying the Court to clarify or interpret the judgment on the issue of the transfer of the case to another judge of the High Court of Lagos State for the trial to start de novo, contrary to the earlier decision of the Supreme Court on the issue.
He urged the Court to strike out the motion if the counsel to the defendant is not relying on the application, which was still pending in the court file.
After listening to the submissions of both parties, Justice Dada struck out the motion on notice and adjourned the matter sine die (indefinitely).
Meanwhile, Ojo SAN, Counsel to Fred Ajudua has also filed another motion at the Supreme Court on February 24, 2026 , praying the apex court to set aside its earlier judgment delivered on May 9, 2025.
CAS Strengthen NAF, INEC Partnership To Safeguard Nigeria’s Democratic Process
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic process through enhanced collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The CAS stated this today, 10 March 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, where he congratulated him on his appointment in October 2025 and commended the Commission’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, inclusiveness, and operational efficiency in the electoral process.
Air Marshal Aneke noted that as Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria’s democratic resilience depends on credible institutions such as INEC, whose mandate remains central to ensuring that citizens freely exercise their sovereign right to choose their leaders.
Highlighting the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and INEC, the CAS emphasised that the Service has remained a dependable partner in supporting electoral operations across the country.
He explained that the NAF has consistently provided strategic airlift support for the movement and distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, as well as the rapid deployment of electoral personnel to various parts of the country, particularly difficult-to-access locations. The CAS assured the Commission that the NAF is making arrangements to make aircraft available to support INEC’s logistics requirements. He further revealed that the NAF is also positioning its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities to enhance situational awareness during elections and stands ready to collaborate with other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, in protecting INEC facilities, collation centres, and other critical electoral infrastructure.
NAF
Air Marshal Aneke added that the Nigerian Air Force remains fully prepared to deploy its capabilities to support a secure electoral environment through strengthened interagency coordination and joint preparatory engagements ahead of future elections. Responding, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the Nigerian Air Force for its longstanding support to the Commission, particularly in the areas of security and logistics. He noted that the NAF’s airlift capabilities and operational support have continued to play a crucial role in ensuring the timely movement of electoral materials and personnel across the country, thereby contributing significantly to the successful conduct of elections.
The Chairman reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to sustaining strong collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to further strengthen the credibility, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Yahaya Bello’s Trial Continues March 11 In Alleged ₦110.4b Fraud Case
Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, till March 11 and 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge, bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the continuation of the cross-examination of the 10th Prosecution Witness, PW10, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc. The witness had earlier testified at the previous proceeding, where he narrated how funds were allegedly moved through multiple bank accounts.
During the cross-examination, defence counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, requested that the statement of account of Fazab Business Enterprise Limited be shown to the witness.
Drawing the witness’s attention to the 14th column of the statement, particularly an entry dated June 24, 2022, Daudu asked him to confirm an outflow described as payment for the supply of educational materials.
The witness in response confirmed the transaction, stating: “It was for the supply of educational materials in the sum of ₦20 million.”
The defence counsel also referred the witness to several withdrawals reflected in the account statement and asked whether he recalled the transactions. The witness answered in the affirmative but stated that he could not determine the purpose of the withdrawals.
Yahaya Bello
The witness also confirmed the transfer of ₦86 million from Fazab Business Enterprise Limited to Ejadams Essence Limited, but said he could not explain the reason for the payment.
Asked whether he was in a position to state why the funds were transferred, the witness replied in the negative.
He was also asked if he was aware of any business relationship between Fazab Business Enterprise Limited and Hadassah Katriel Global Enterprise, to which he denied knowledge.
The witness, however, noted that most of the cash withdrawals were structured to fall below ₦10 million.
When asked whether a Suspicious Transaction Report, STR had been filed regarding the transactions and if such a report was before the court, he said “No, my lord.”
Justice Anineh adjourned the matter till March 11 and 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.
ICPC Debunks False Claim Of Arrest, prosecution Of Justice James Omotosho
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed as false and malicious a video currently circulating on social media alleging that the Commission arrested the honourable, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The Commission states categorically that the claim contained in the video is entirely untrue and intended to spread mischief and mislead members of the public.
ICPC wishes to clarify that it has neither arrested nor invited Justice James Omotosho in relation to any investigation.
The Commission is also not investigating the Honourable Judge as alleged in the video.
The Commission therefore urges members of the public to disregard the misleading content and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary public concern and damaging reputations.
For the avoidance of doubt the ICPC has no mandate to investigate serving judicial Officers. And the Commission is an agency that has very high regards for not only the honourable Justice James Omotosho but for all judicial Officers in Nigeria.
ICPC
ICPC reiterates its commitment to professionalism and due process in the discharge of its statutory mandate and advises the public to rely only on official communication from the Commission for accurate information regarding its activities.
The public is also encouraged to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of information circulating in social media before sharing it.
J. Okor Odey, Anipr
Spokesperson
ICPC
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