Fred Ajudua in EFCC custody following Supreme Court bail reversal

Prominent Lagos businessman and socialite, Fred Ajudua, has been arrested and taken into custody by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

The development comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the bail previously granted to him.

Ajudua, long known for his controversial legal battles, is currently being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of a staggering $1,043,000. His arrest was effected on Tuesday and he remains in EFCC custody as legal proceedings continue.

“We have arrested Ajudua pending his re-arraignment in court. He was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday and he’s in our custody as we speak,” the official stated.

However, when contacted, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment on the matter.
The Supreme Court on Friday, May 5, 2025, upheld the EFCC’s appeal and overturned the bail earlier granted to Ajudua by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on September 10, 2018. The apex court directed that he be remanded in a correctional centre.

The legal battle, which began in 2005, has experienced several setbacks due to changes in the presiding judges. The case initially began under Justice Morenike Obadina of the Lagos High Court and was subsequently reassigned to Justices Josephine Oyefeso and Mojisola Dada.

Ajudua was denied bail during his 2018 arraignment before Justice Dada due to the prolonged nature of the case. However, the Court of Appeal later granted him bail — a decision now overturned by the Supreme Court.

In its latest verdict, the Supreme Court reinstated the original denial of bail and instructed the Chief Judge of Lagos State to return the case to Justice Dada for continuation of trial.

Ajudua is expected to be re-arraigned shortly as legal proceedings resume.