Posted by By BUCHY ENYINNAYA, Asaba on
Efforts by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday to arrest renowned socialite, Chief Fred Ajudua at his home town, Ibusa, in the Oshimili North Local government area of Delta state ran into a hitch as the millionaire who has been on bail was said to have escaped arrest before the EFFC officials could get at him.
•EFCC declares him wanted
Efforts by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday to arrest renowned socialite, Chief Fred Ajudua at his home town, Ibusa, in the Oshimili North Local government area of Delta state ran into a hitch as the millionaire who has been on bail was said to have escaped arrest before the EFFC officials could get at him.
The commission has, as a result, banded the millionaire fugitive from the law and declared him wanted.
A source close to Saturday Sun disclosed that no fewer than eight operatives of the anti-graft commission had swooped on Ajudua who was having some good time at a relaxation spot in the town.
The source further said that though the socialite escaped arrest, the EFCC operatives were able to impound the official car of his wife, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, a legislator and Minority leader in the Delta state House of Assembly.
But when Saturday Sun went to the Delta state Police Command at about 4.31
pm, the vehicle that Ajudua has allegedly been using to escape detection by security operatives was not seen as reports had it that it had been taken to EFCC office in Abuja .
Confirming the development, Media manager of the EFCC, Mr. Osita Nwajah told Saturday Sun on phone, 'the truth of the matter is that we don't have him . His thugs posed a problem . We don't have him . But we have a four-wheel drive vehicle which he uses with us."
In a statement by the anti-graft commission , signed by Mr. Nwajah, and made available to Saturday Sun it said,
'The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has attempted in the night of Thursday, 20th March 2007, to re-arrest suspected 419 kingpin, Fred Ajudua at his Ibusa, Delta State hometown.
'Ajudua who has been standing trial at the High Court, Ikeja, Lagos, was granted bail after a protracted legal battle, to seek medical attention in India, on 3rd February 2005, on the condition that he would make himself available for continuation of his trial for mega scams, on return from India.
However, while claiming that he is still on admission, Ajudua who is also wanted to answer to fresh charges of 419, has been holding court at Ibusa, Delta State. 'At each hearing of the case on trial, Ajudua's lawyers have presented medical reports that he was still undergoing treatment in India . They have, in fact, stated that the accused was on admission and about to undergo a major surgery. However, information got to the Commission that the man supposed to be in critical condition in India , was being seen at various social gatherings.
'That intelligence led to the attempt by the Commission's operatives to arrest him at a popular beer parlour in Ibusa. Unfortunately, the move was thwarted by his armed thugs.
The Commission wishes to bring to the attention of all that Fred Ajudua, one of the most celebrated 419 suspects of all time, is… wanted for continuation of his trial for 419 and re-arraignment in court. Anyone with information that could lead to his arrest should get in touch with the EFCC, immediately.''
Ajudua was said to have sighted the EFCC operatives and then taken to his heels, a development which made some people in his company, especially some Ibusa youths, who, thinking it was an armed robbery attempt on the chief tried to resist and thwart the effort .
When Saturday Sun called on the State Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), he said he was yet to be briefed on the development .
Ajudua who is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a German was said to have been released on bail on health grounds. He is however alleged to have over stayed his bail, a situation that prompted officials of the anti-graft commission to go after him.