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Supreme court revokes Ajudua’s bail, orders remand in 20-year-old ‘fraud’ case

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The supreme court has dismissed the judgment of the court of appeal in Lagos that granted bail to Fred Ajudua, a one-time Lagos socialite, in the alleged $1.04 million fraud trial.

 

In a unanimous judgment on Friday, the apex court ordered Ajudua to be remanded at the correctional centre.

 

THE CASE

Ajudua is standing trial in a case that began in 2005 for allegedly defrauding Zad Abu Zalaf, a Palestinian, of $1,043,000.

 

The case was initially assigned to Morenike Obadina, a judge at the Lagos high court, but arraignment did not take place.

 

The case was later reassigned to Josephine Oyefeso, another judge, before it was reassigned again to Mojisola Dada.

 

He was finally arraigned on June 4, 2018.

At the arraignment in June 2018, Dada, the trial judge, denied Ajudua’s bail application due to the prolonged delay suffered by the case.

 

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He approached the court of appeal in Lagos, which granted him bail on September 10, 2018.

 

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the case, took the matter to the supreme court.

 

THE JUDGMENT

The apex court revoked the bail granted to Ajudua by the appeal court and ordered the reinstatement of the ruling of the lower court, which declined the bail application.

 

The supreme court directed that the chief judge of Lagos state should reassign the case to Dada to continue the trial.

 

PREVIOUS CASES

This is not the only alleged fraud case that had been instituted against Ajudua.

 

The former socialite had also been in the court for allegedly defrauding Ishaya Bamaiyi, former chief of army staff, of about $8.39 million.

In 2003, Ajudua and his co-defendant were also arraigned over alleged fraud against two Dutch businessmen – Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen. He was later discharged by the Ikeja high court.

See also  Job well done: U.S. hails EFCC over arrest of Nigerian fraudster on FBI wanted list

 

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Nigerian arrested over alleged sex crimes in US, faces deportation

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A 53-year-old Nigerian, Olatunde Olusanjo, has been arrested in Los Angeles by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged sexual offences.

According to ICE, Olusanjo was arrested on April 21, 2026, by its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit and is currently in its custody pending deportation proceedings.

In a social media post by its Los Angeles office, the agency linked his arrest to prior criminal allegations, including child molestation, sexual battery and sexual solicitation.

It described Olusanjo as a “criminal alien and convicted sex offender”.

“Los Angeles ERO arrested Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo, 53, of Nigeria, Apr. 21,” the statement reads.

“Olusanjo has previous arrests for child molestation, sexual battery and soliciting lewd conduct. He is in ICE custody pending removal.”

The arrest comes amid continued enforcement actions by US  authorities against foreign nationals with prior criminal records.

In recent years, several Nigerians have been arrested and prosecuted in the US for offences ranging from cybercrime to violent and sexual-related charges.

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In February, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it had arrested 79 Nigerians described as among the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders.

The suspects faced allegations ranging from sexual assault, fraud, manslaughter, cocaine smuggling, kidnapping, and robbery.

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Thai Police find N67m, cocaine in Nigerian suspect’s home

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Operatives of the Thailand Police have arrested Nigerian national, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi, following the discovery of approximately 1.5 million baht (over N67 million) hidden in the ceiling of his bathroom during a late-night raid.

The operation, carried out over the weekend, also led to the arrest of three other individuals believed to be connected to the same drug distribution network.

Authorities reportedly recovered cocaine, cash, a vehicle, and valuable jewellery during the raid.

According to details from Khaosod English, investigators had been monitoring the suspect’s activities before apprehending him near Silom Soi 1. At the point of arrest, officers allegedly found about 27 grams of cocaine in his possession.

The other suspects taken into custody include a Swiss national, Thomas Giubibini, alongside two Thai nationals identified as Thanayot Asawamethi and Nattawat Wangkitjinda. All are facing charges related to drug possession.

In total, authorities said they seized roughly 30 grams of cocaine, cash amounting to 1.5 million baht, additional foreign currency worth about 15,000 baht, and jewellery estimated at 400,000 baht.

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Investigators disclosed that Ifeanyi had lived in Thailand for over 17 years under a family visa obtained through a Thai spouse. However, officials now suspect the marriage may have been arranged to facilitate his stay and operations.

Police further alleged that the suspect coordinated drug transactions through encrypted messaging platforms, which officers were able to infiltrate before making the arrests. He reportedly resisted arrest but was subdued, after which he is said to have admitted involvement in the illicit activities.

The arrest comes amid ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to clamp down on drug trafficking networks. It also follows a recent case involving another Nigerian, Ukoma Nuzbech, who was earlier arrested for allegedly evading trial in a separate drug-related case.

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NDLEA intercepts UK-bound Cocaine, Loud concealed in food flasks, snacks

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine concealed in food flasks bound for the United Kingdom.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the interception took place on April 9, 2026, leading to the arrest of two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39.

The agency disclosed that 12 large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms were discovered hidden in the false bottom of food flasks at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

The illicit consignment was scheduled for shipment via a Virgin Atlantic flight to the UK.

Further investigations identified the sender as a 52-year-old freight forwarder, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, who was subsequently apprehended.

In a separate operation at the airport’s import shed, NDLEA officers on April 8 intercepted 2.90 kilograms of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in snack food packs arriving from the United States aboard a Delta Air Lines flight.

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Two clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested, while the consignee, 29-year-old fashion designer Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, was later nabbed at his residence in Ogba, Lagos.

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