419: Court Orders Suspect Fred Ajudua To Remain In Prison Till End Trial

The application for bail by 419 kingpin, Fred Ajudua, was hurled
overboard today by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, who ordered him to remain
in Kirikiri Maximum Prison until his trial is over.
Mr. Oyewole said Ajudua's plea was not convincing enough, and ruled
that the previous bail granted to him in 2005 could notbe restored
because he had taken advantage of the opportunity and fled. Mr.
Ajudua disappeared after the judge granted him that privilege,
re-emerging only after he was detained again this year.
As his case re-opened, Mr. Ajudua immediately asked the court to
suspend proceedings on order for him to return to India for treatment
of what he presented as a kidney problem, but when that application
failed, he filed the bail application that was denied today.
"I am not persuaded that the applicant will present himself if the
previous bail is restored or if he gets a fresh one," the judge said.
Describing Mr. Ajudua's claim that he required to frequently travel to
India on account of his kidney as unconvincing, the judge pointed out
that there had been no report whatsoever from prison doctors about
Ajudua's ill-health since he was remanded there.
On the contrary, the judge commented on how robust Mr. Ajudua appeared
in court since he was remanded.
Justice Oyewole promised accelerated hearing of the case, directing
prison officers to ensure Mr. Ajudua is promptly taken to the hospital
should there be any exigency.
Trial will continue on July 8.