Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested Lagos-based ex-socialite, Fred Ajudua, in Abuja following a Supreme Court order revoking his bail.
Ajudua, who is facing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000, was apprehended on Tuesday and remanded in EFCC custody pending his re-arraignment.
A senior EFCC official, who confirmed the arrest under the condition of anonymity, said, “We have arrested Ajudua pending his re-arraignment in court. He was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday and he’s in our custody as we speak.”
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However, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment officially on the matter.
The arrest followed a ruling by the Supreme Court delivered on Friday, May 5, 2025, which overturned the decision of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal that granted Ajudua bail on September 10, 2018.
The apex court ordered his remand in a correctional facility and directed that the case be returned to its original trial judge.
The fraud case, which dates back to 2005, has faced prolonged delays due to multiple judicial reassignments.
Initially presided over by Justice Morenike Obadina of the Lagos High Court, it was later transferred to Justices Josephine Oyefeso and then Mojisola Dada.
Ajudua was first arraigned before Justice Dada in June 2018, where he was denied bail due to the case’s history.
The Court of Appeal later granted him bail, a decision challenged by the EFCC at the Supreme Court.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the EFCC’s appeal, reinstated the original order denying bail, and directed the Chief Judge of Lagos State to return the case to Justice Dada for continuation of trial.
Ajudua is expected to be re-arraigned soon as the trial resumes.
