By Moji Eniola
Ikeja – Fred Ajudua, a former Lagos socialite accused of defrauding Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd) of $8.4 million in 2004 at the Kirikiri Prisons, has written the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to reveal Bamaiyi’s declared assets.
Bamaiyi is a former Chief of Army Staff.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajudua’s counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, made the disclosure before an Ikeja High Court on Thursday during Ajudua’s continued trial for the alleged fraud.
Ojo told the court that after the last proceedings held on Oct. 16, 2019, Ajudua wrote to the CCB, Abuja, for Certified True Copies (CTC) of the asset declaration forms which Bamaiyi claimed to have filled.
“Despite our repeated visits, we were, on very clear terms, told that nothing will be made available to us unless there is an order of court.
“We were constrained to asked the court for a subpoena which was signed by this honourable court.
“The sheriff of this court could not serve the Abuja Office of the Code of Conduct Bureau, and we sincerely believe that proper service will be done in Abuja before the next date this matter will be adjourned until,” Ojo said.
Responding, Mr Seidu Atteh, lead counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that the trial was not about Bamaiyi’s assets but about the fraud allegedly perpetuated by Ajudua.
“With profound respect, we are not aware of this application. My lord it is very important for the parties not to lose the focus of the trial.
“The trial is not about the assets, the information is clear about the allegations against the defendant.
“I do not see the reason for seeking asset declaration forms of PW1 (Bamaiyi),” he said.
Earlier, Bamaiyi, while being cross-examined by Ojo, said that he had meticulously recorded in his diary, the receipt of all the $8.4 million funds received by Ajudua.
He said that $1 million was given to Ajudua on two occasions at the Kirikiri Prisons, with some withdrawn from his bank account at NAL Merchant Bank, now Sterling Bank.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso adjourned the case until March 2 for continuation of trial.
NAN reports that Ajudua is facing a 28-eight count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences and obtaining money by false pretences.
According to the prosecution, the alleged crime occurred when Ajudua was incarcerated at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons over alleged fraud while Bamaiyi was incarcerated there over alleged involvement in the attempted murder of Mr Alex Ibru, the Publisher of the Guardian newspaper.
The prosecution alleged that Ajudua, had alongside some accomplices, approached Bamaiyi in the prison in 2004.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant obtained the money by convincing Bamaiyi that he could hire the legal services of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to help to secure Bamayi’s release from the Kirikiri Prisons.
When the alleged fraud came to light, the law chambers of Afe Babalola and Co. issued a disclaimer disassociating itself from the case.
(NAN)
