EMBATTLED former Lagos socialite and lawyer, Fred Ajudua who is being held in Kirikiri Maximum prison for $4.8 million fraud, on Monday announced to an Ikeja High Court that he has sacked the legal team representing him.
Ajudua who is standing trial for defrauding Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff of the $8.4million had previously been represented by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo and Norrisson Quakers, and another lawyer, Alex Agbaka.
The matter could however not go on as Ajudua who had no legal representation had via a letter informed the court that he had withdrawn the services of his legal team.
He, therefore, requested for a six-week long adjournment to enable him either reconcile with his defence team or hire a new legal team.
ALSO READ:Â Fred Ajudua’s counsel makes frantic effort to stop arraignment
He, however, did not provide to the court any reason why he withdrew the services of his defence team.
Responding Mr Temitope Banjo, the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the court that the withdrawal of the services of the defendant’s legal team was a ploy to delay the trial.
“I am not aware that he is withdrawing the services of his lawyers and we do not have a copy of the letter.
“The defendant had filed a similar application to withdraw the services of his defence team in his case before Justice Mojisola Dada, this is a ploy to delay the trial.
“I agree he has a right to a counsel of his choice in accordance to the provision of the law but this should not be a yardstick to delay the trial,” Banjo said.
Following the submission of the EFCC counsel, Justice Josephine Oyefeso warned Ajudua to ensure he has legal representation during the next court date.
“If you fail to have representation and stall the trial, your bail will be revoked,” she said.
Justice Oyefeso adjourned the case until Nov. 20 and 26 for trial.
Ajudua, a one-time Lagos socialite is being tried by the EFCC for allegedly defrauding the former Chief of Army Staff of $8.4million while they were both custody in Kirikiri Prisons in 2004.
Bamaiyi was in custody for treason while Ajudua was in custody for fraud-related offences.
Ajudua, alongside some accomplices, had allegedly approached Bamaiyi and convinced him that he could hire the legal services of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to help secure his freedom with Bamaiyi giving Ajudua $8.4million as legal fees.
When the alleged fraud came to light, the law chambers of Afe Babalola and Co issued a disclaimer disassociating itself from the case.
Ajudua is also standing trial in a similar case before Justice Mojisola Dada where he was also alleged to have defrauded a German company of millions of dollars.