SUPREME COURT STRIKES OUT AJUDUA’S MOTION IN $1.04M FRAUD CASE, ORDERS LOWER COURT TO HEAR BAIL APPLICATION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Supreme Court has struck out a motion filed by socialite Fred Ajudua, who sought to challenge its earlier judgment in the ongoing $1.043 million fraud case involving Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf.

Before the ruling, Ajudua had already filed a notice to withdraw the motion at the lower court. Following the apex court’s decision, trial proceedings resumed on Friday, October 31, 2025, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

At the resumed hearing, Ajudua’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that the defence had withdrawn its application at the Supreme Court, which was subsequently struck out—clearing the way for the trial court to consider the pending bail application.

Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly obtaining $1,043,000 (One Million, Forty-Three Thousand Dollars) from Abu Zalaf under false pretences. The case, which originated in 2005 before Justice M.O. Obadina of the Lagos State High Court, has faced multiple adjournments and delays due to various legal maneuvers by the defendant.

The matter has since been reassigned to several judges, including Justice J.E. Oyefeso, and is now before Justice Dada, where Ajudua was re-arraigned on June 4, 2018.

During Friday’s session, the defence continued the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Emmanuel told the court that he inherited the case and was not part of the initial investigation.

Justice Dada subsequently directed the prosecution to produce the police investigation records at the next sitting.

The case was adjourned until November 20 and 21, 2025, for continuation of the cross-examination.