The Supreme Court has struck out a motion filed by alleged serial fraudster, Fred Ajudua, after his counsel formally withdrew the application challenging an earlier judgment of the apex court.
In the same sitting on Friday, October 31, 2025, the court also dismissed an appeal filed by the Managing Director of Nadabo Energy Limited, Mr. Abubakar Ali Peters, who sought to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision revoking his bail and imposing new conditions.
Naijaonpoint understands that Peters had requested permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, but the Supreme Court declined the request, directing him instead to return to the trial court to conclude his criminal proceedings.
Meanwhile, at the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, where Ajudua is standing trial, he also withdrew a fresh bail application before Justice Mojisola Dada on the same day.
Ajudua’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that his client had filed a notice of withdrawal of his motion at the Supreme Court to enable the lower court to proceed with its ruling on the bail request.
According to Ojo, Ajudua, who suffers from chronic kidney disease and severe hypertension, personally appeared in court “to comply with his undertakings.”
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Seidu Atteh, did not oppose the withdrawal but urged the court to await official confirmation from the Supreme Court that the motion had indeed been struck out.
Justice Dada agreed, noting that the trial court must be satisfied that the apex court had formally dealt with the withdrawal before taking any further steps. The court subsequently continued with trial proceedings.
During the resumed hearing, the third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an investigator with the EFCC, testified that the Commission contacted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and its forensic laboratory during investigations into Ajudua’s alleged $1.043 million fraud against a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf.
Under cross-examination, Emmanuel confirmed visiting Ajudua at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison and interviewing several witnesses as part of the probe.
Justice Dada adjourned the matter till November 20 and 21, 2025, for continuation of cross-examination.
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