The Supreme Court has struck out a motion filed by Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, challenging its earlier judgment in his ongoing $1.043 million fraud case involving a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf.
Ajudua, who is standing trial before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, had filed a notice to withdraw the motion before the apex court delivered its ruling on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Following the development, proceedings resumed on Friday, October 31, with the court set to determine Ajudua’s pending bail application.
At the resumed hearing, defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed Justice Dada that the Supreme Court had struck out the motion, thereby clearing the way for the lower court to continue with the case.
Ajudua is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly obtaining $1,043,000 from Abu Zalaf under false pretences. The case, which began in 2005 before Justice M.O. Obadina of the Lagos State High Court, has suffered several delays reportedly due to the defendant’s use of multiple legal technicalities.
Read Also:
- Court stops planned impeachment of Bayelsa deputy governor
- Kenyan court imposes Ksh46.5m fine on Nigerian for drug trafficking
- Court sacks Zamfara Lawmaker Abubakar Gummi over defection to APC, orders INEC to conduct fresh election
During Friday’s proceedings, Ojo continued his cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an EFCC investigator. When asked about the existence of a police investigation diary, Emmanuel stated that he inherited the case and was not involved in the initial probe.
Justice Dada thereafter directed the prosecution to produce the investigation records at the next adjourned date.
The court adjourned the matter till November 20 and 21, 2025, for continuation of cross-examination.
