The Supreme Court on Thursday, October 30, 2025, struck out a motion filed by socialite Fred Ajudua, which sought to challenge its earlier judgment in the ongoing $1.043 million fraud case involving Palestinian businessman Zad Abu Zalaf.
Prior to the apex court’s ruling, Ajudua had filed a notice to withdraw the motion. Following this, trial proceedings resumed on Friday, October 31, 2025, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
At the resumed hearing, Ajudua’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that the defence had formally withdrawn its application at the Supreme Court, which was consequently struck out. This cleared the way for the trial court to consider the pending bail application.
Ajudua faces trial for allegedly obtaining $1,043,000 from Abu Zalaf under false pretences. The case, which dates back to 2005 before Justice M.O. Obadina of the Lagos State High Court, has faced numerous delays due to repeated legal maneuvers by the defendant.
The matter has been reassigned several times, first to Justice J.E. Oyefeso and later to Justice M.A. Dada, before whom Ajudua was re-arraigned on June 4, 2018.
During Friday’s proceedings, Ojo continued the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, Afanda Bashir Emmanuel, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
When questioned about the existence of a police investigation diary, Emmanuel stated that he inherited the case and was not involved in the initial investigation. Justice Dada then directed the prosecution to produce the records at the next hearing.
The court adjourned the case to November 20 and 21, 2025, for the continuation of cross-examination.
