Alleged $1.043 Million Fraud: EFCC Faults Appeal Court, Seeks Ajudua’s Return To Custody

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria, seeking an order to revoke the bail granted to Lagos socialite, Fred Chijindu Ajudua, by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Lagos Division.

Naija News reports that in a notice of appeal dated February 20, 2026 and filed at the apex court in Abuja, the anti-graft agency is challenging the entire ruling of the appellate court delivered on January 30, 2026, which admitted Ajudua to bail.

Arguing through its counsel, S.K. Atteh, the commission contended that the Court of Appeal erred in law when it dismissed the prosecution’s preliminary objection and proceeded to grant bail to the defendant.

According to the EFCC, the appellate court failed to properly interpret an earlier judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on May 9, 2025, in related appeals involving Ajudua.

The commission maintained that the apex court had effectively foreclosed any further consideration of bail when it ordered that the respondent remain in custody pending the speedy trial of the charge against him.

It particularly faulted the appellate court for allegedly holding that the Supreme Court did not order Ajudua’s continued detention, describing the position as contrary to the doctrine of judicial hierarchy and the finality of Supreme Court decisions.

‘Issue Of Bail Conclusively Determined’

Central to the dispute is the interpretation of portions of the Supreme Court judgment where the apex court discussed the relationship between jurisdiction and bail.

The EFCC argued that the Court of Appeal failed to address critical passages in the apex court’s decision, which, in its view, meant that the issue of bail had been conclusively determined and could not be revisited by any lower court.

It further contended that by granting fresh bail, the appellate court violated Sections 235 and 275(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which make decisions of the Supreme Court final and binding on all lower courts.

The anti-graft agency also criticised the reliance placed by the appellate court on Ajudua’s medical report dated November 19, 2025, as evidence of changed circumstances warranting bail.

The EFCC claimed that the defendant had been diagnosed with kidney-related ailments since 1987 and had repeatedly relied on the condition to stall his trial since the charge was first filed in 2005.

It further alleged inconsistencies in medical reports issued by the same consultant, arguing that the appellate court failed to properly evaluate the evidence before admitting him to bail.

The commission warned that allowing Ajudua to remain on bail would frustrate the Supreme Court’s directive for a speedy trial, citing an earlier instance where, despite being on bail, only one prosecution witness was called over an extended period.

Specifically, the EFCC is urging the apex court to revoke the bail granted to Ajudua by the Court of Appeal on January 30, 2026, and restore the trial court’s ruling of November 20, 2025, which refused him bail.

As of the time of filing this report, no hearing date has been fixed by the Supreme Court.

Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1.043 million. The case has spanned several years, marked by legal battles over jurisdiction, bail applications and adjournments.