The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria, seeking an order to revoke the bail granted to Lagos socialite, Fred Chijindu Ajudua, by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos.
In a notice of appeal dated February 20, 2026, and filed at the apex court in Abuja, the anti-graft agency is challenging the entire ruling of the appellate court delivered on January 30, 2026, which admitted Ajudua to bail.
The Commission, through its counsel, S.K. Atteh, argues that the Court of Appeal erred in law when it dismissed the prosecution’s preliminary objection and proceeded to grant bail to the defendant.
According to the EFCC, the appellate court failed to properly interpret the earlier judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on May 9, 2025, in related appeals involving Ajudua. The Commission argued that the apex court had effectively foreclosed further consideration of bail when it ordered that the respondent remain in custody pending the speedy trial of the charge.
The EFCC particularly faulted the Court of Appeal for allegedly holding that the Supreme Court did not order Ajudua’s continued detention, describing the lower court’s position as contrary to the doctrine of judicial hierarchy and the finality of Supreme Court decisions.
Central to the dispute is the interpretation of portions of the Supreme Court judgment in which the apex court discussed the relationship between jurisdiction and bail.
The EFCC maintained that the Court of Appeal failed to address passages in the apex court’s decision which, in its view, meant that the issue of bail had been conclusively determined and could not be revisited by any lower court.
It further argued that by granting fresh bail, the appellate court violated Sections 235 and 275(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which make decisions of the Supreme Court final and binding on lower courts.
Medical Grounds for Bail Challenged
The anti-graft agency also challenged the appellate court’s reliance on Ajudua’s medical report dated November 19, 2025, as constituting changed circumstances warranting bail.
The EFCC claimed the respondent had been diagnosed with kidney-related ailments since 1987 and had repeatedly relied on the condition to delay trial since the charge was filed in 2005.
It further alleged inconsistencies in medical reports issued by the same consultant, arguing that the Court of Appeal failed to properly evaluate the evidence before admitting the defendant to bail.
The Commission warned that allowing Ajudua to remain on bail would frustrate the Supreme Court’s directive for a speedy trial. It cited an earlier instance in which, despite being on bail, only one prosecution witness was called over an extended period.
Specifically, the EFCC is asking the apex court to:
- Revoke the bail granted to Ajudua by the Court of Appeal on January 30, 2026; and
- Restore the trial court’s ruling of November 20, 2025, which refused bail.
No hearing date has yet been announced at the Supreme Court.
Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of the sum of $1.043 million.
0 Comments