Fred Ajudua’s $1.043m fraud trial is adjourned indefinitely by Lagos State Special Offences Court amid fresh legal challenges

The Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has adjourned indefinitely the trial of Lagos-based businessman Fred Ajudua, who faces allegations of defrauding Palestinian businessman Zad Abu Zalaf of $1.043 million under false pretences.

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Justice Mojisola Dada ordered the adjournment on Monday after striking out a motion filed by the defence during proceedings.

The case has endured a protracted legal history since its inception in 2005, with multiple reassignments and delays caused by technical challenges and motions filed by the defence.

Ajudua was arraigned on June 4, 2018, before Justice Dada, after previous judges including Justice M.O. Obadina and Justice J.E. Oyefeso had presided over parts of the case.

Initially denied bail, Ajudua later obtained release from the Court of Appeal, although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) challenged this decision at the Supreme Court, which reaffirmed Justice Dada’s jurisdiction to continue the trial.

During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel Olalekan Ojo informed the court of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on January 30, 2026, granting bail to Ajudua and allegedly ordering the case to be remitted to another court to start afresh.

The defence has requested that the Chief Judge of Lagos State reassign the matter accordingly.

Prosecuting counsel S.K. Atteh argued that the appeal judgment did not expressly mandate reassignment, noting that a clarification motion had been filed before the Court of Appeal and that the Supreme Court had previously addressed related issues.

After considering submissions, Justice Dada struck out the motion and adjourned the trial sine die, effectively suspending proceedings pending further legal clarification.

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The defence has also filed a motion at the Supreme Court seeking to set aside its earlier judgment delivered on May 9, 2025, in the ongoing, decades-long case.