The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Fred Ajudua, the alleged advance fee fraud kingpin, before an Ikeja High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), of about $8.395m.
In the charge, theanti-graft agency alleged that Ajudua, along with others still at large defrauded Gen. Bamaiyi of $8.387 million between November 2004 and June 2005 while in prison.
Ajudua was the only defendant in the fresh 14 count charge present in court as others who allegedly committed the offences along with him are said to be at large.
Other suspects, who were said to be on the run, are Alumile Adedeji (a.k.a Ade Bendel) one Mr. Kenneth and Princess Hamabon William.
Ajudua, along with other suspects, were said to have defrauded Bamaiyi at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, where he and the other fraud suspects were awaiting trial on for various crimes.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The arraignment which was stalled since January because of Ajudua’s application challenging the competence of the charge, took place on Tuesday after the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye refused a fresh application for stay of proceedings.
The accused person, who is also facing similar fraud trial in another court, had earlier through a preliminary objection insisted that the court had no jurisdiction to try him since he was charged under the repealed advance fee fraud act.
The trial judge, however, dismissed the application last week and fixed today for arraignment.
She instructed the court registrar to read the charges to the defendant.
After taking his plea, Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till April 8, 2014 for hearing of pending applications.
