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Ajudua, guards battle EFCC men, escape arrest

By Sesan Olufowobi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said on Friday that suspected 419 kingpin, Fred Ajudua, had evaded an attempt by its operatives to re-arrest him.

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Ajudua escaped arrest after his guards had the upper hand during a brawl at a popular beer parlour in Ibusa, Delta State. The EFCC operatives had stormed the beer parlour to arrest him.

The suspected kingpin was arraigned in 2005 on a fresh 12-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged fraudulent attempt to obtain a total sum of $1,043,000.00 in three tranches from April to June 1993 from Mr. Ziad Abu Zalaf, a Palestine-German national, and director of Technical International Limited, a division of Mystic Company Limited, based in Germany. Ajudua was granted bail on February 3, 2005 to enable him seek medical attention in India, following complications arising from an alleged kidney failure.

However, the EFCC said in a statement by its Head, Media & Publicity, Mr. Osita Nwajah, that Ajudua disregarded the terms of his bail, which stated that he should make himself available for the continuation of his trial. The statement said although he claimed to be on admission, Ajudua had actually been holding court at his hometown.

It said, “At each hearing of the case on trial, Ajudua’s lawyers have presented medical reports that he is still undergoing treatment in India. They have in fact stated that the accused was on admission and about to undergo a major surgery. However, information got to the commission that the man who was supposed to be in a critical condition in India, was seen at various social gatherings.

“That intelligence led to the attempt by the commission’s operatives to arrest him at a popular beer parlour in Ibusa. Unfortunately, the move was thwarted by his armed thugs.”

It stated further that Ajudua, described as “one of the most celebrated 419 suspects of all time,” is still wanted for the “continuation of his trial for 419. Anyone with information that could lead to his arrest should get in touch with the EFCC immediately.”

However, Ajudua’s lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, told our correspondent on the telephone that the EFCC’s claim was strange. He said, “I find it incredible because I was in India two weeks ago and I met with the medical doctors at the hospital. They said he was under observation as an out-patient.

“I find it most disturbing and incredible because Ajudua is a lawyer and knows that his bail has been revoked and that he would be re-arrested if he enters the country. So, he will not run that risk. Even if he enters the country, he will call me within 30 minutes. I have not received any call from him. The EFCC should convince the whole world that it was Ajudua they saw in Nigeria and not someone that looks like him. My client is in India.”