Socialite Fred Ajudua Released on Bail After Detention Over Land Dispute, Lawyer Confirms

A prominent city socialite, Fred Ajudua, who was apprehended by law enforcement last Wednesday, has been granted bail.

Ajudua’s attorney, Lekan Ojo, verified his arrest to journalists on Saturday, confirming that he has been released on bail.

According to Ojo, Ajudua was released to him and Senator Ned Nwoko on Saturday evening, after being detained since May 1st, 2024. Ojo expressed frustration at the fact that his client was held in custody without being formally charged or brought before the court.

Rebutting prior reports of Ajudua’s arrest in connection to land fraud and forgery, Ojo emphasized that the allegations were exaggerated and misleading. He clarified that the arrest stemmed from a land dispute, detached from any forgery allegations as initially indicated.

Addressing the nature of the disagreement, Ojo stated, “The petitioner exaggerated the situation. No documents were forged or tampered with; it’s solely a land dispute that led to Ajudua’s four-day detention, surpassing the constitutionally permitted 48-hour threshold. I am currently in Abuja to uphold his legal rights,” Ojo affirmed.

Speaking to The Punch, Ojo elaborated further, clarifying that the arrest had no grounds related to fraud, forgery, or falsified documents. The detention was purely a consequence of the ongoing land dispute, revealing a discrepancy with the initial allegations.