Temporary respite came the way of Lagos socialite and businessman, Fred Ajudua as an Ikeja High Court has discharged him and his co-defendant, Charles Orie of $1.69 million fraud charge.
The presiding Judge, Justice Kudirat Jose discharged the accused after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission withdrew the case it had filed against them since 2003.
“The charge against the defendants is hereby struck out. The defendants are accordingly discharged,” the judge said.
Citing the reason for the withdrawal of the case before the verdict of the court was handed down, EFCC’ counsel, Mrs A.E. Sanusi, said the decision of the anti graft agency principal witnesses not to come to Nigeria to give evidence informed the withdrawal of the case.
“Our witnesses are foreigners who are reluctant to come to Nigeria. They are citing Ebola virus disease as one of the reasons they do not want to come. The first defendant (Ajudua) is at present being remanded in the Kirikiri Prisons; in the circumstances, we are constrained to withdraw the charge. We are asking the court to discharge the defendants until we are able to get our witnesses,” Sanusi said.
Fred Ajudua and Charles Orie were arraigned in 2003 over allegation of defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen to the tune of $1.69 million under the pretext of using the money to bribe top government officers to facilitate the award of contracts worth $18 million to the Dutch businessmen.
Mr. Fred Ajudua is however standing trial for another charge before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye for allegedly defrauding former Army Chief, Gen. Ishaya Baimayi to the tune of $5.9 million.
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