The arraignment of Fred Ajudua by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC at the Ikeja High Court on a fresh charge of obtaining
by false pretence, was again stalled today February 12, 2014 as his counsel,
Olalekan Ojo told the court that Ajudua cannot take his plea based on a pending
application challenging the jurisdiction of court and competence of the
information contained in the charge.

According to Ojo, section 260(2) of the administration of criminal
Justice of Lagos state Law says "by doctrine of priorities of application, the
defendant's application which challenges the Jurisdiction and competence of
this honourable court shall take priority over the arraignment or plea of the
defendant" Ojo went further to withdraw his initial application filed December
20, 2013 to quash the charge.
The prosecuting counsel, S K Atteh, relying on section 211(2) of Lagos State
administration of criminal Justice Law urged the court to allow the defendant
take his plea as pending applications can be dealt with during the course of
trial.
He informed the court that the application challenging the
competence of the charge was only served on the Commission Tuesday February 11,
2014 and requested for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution respond to
the application.
After listening to the submissions of both counsel, Justice
Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned proceedings to February 27, 2014.
Fred Chijindu Ajudua is to be arraigned on a 14-count charge
bordering on obtaining $8.9 million by false pretences from a former Chief of
Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd).

Media & Publicity
12th February, 2014