How Fred Ajudua, Others Allegedly Defrauded An American Of N6.6bn

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Montia Rice, an American contractor has approached a federal court in Lagos seeking a relisting of a suit in which he obtained judgment awarding him N6.6 billion in 2000.

Rice, who runs a construction company, had claimed the sum from an alleged fraudster and socialite, Fred Ajudua, and six others. However, before the judgment delivered by Jus­tice Dan Abutu on 28 July, 2000 could be enforced, the lawyer representing him in Nigeria, Anthony Okocha, died.

Afterwards, Rice also fled the country after his life was threatened.

Explaining how he fell for the scam trap, the American said he was contracted by some Nigerians to execute what turned out to be a phantom project in Nigeria.

After being convinced to finance the project, Rice said he transferred the funds from his Barclay Bank UK account to the defendants through the defunct Standard Trust Bank now United Bank of Africa (UBA).

Upon discovering he had been duped, the American sued the defendants who did not enter appearance to defend the suit.

He listed the defendants as Fred Ajudua, Jude Okwudili, Dr. Annuni, Sam Opara, Mamo Feda, and Wags Digiteme.

On 28 July 2000, Justice Abutu entered judgment for the plaintiff against the defendants jointly and severally in the sum of $6,456,848.61 (about N1, 969,331,933.39) as well as “interlocutory judgment” in the sum of $15,364,380 (about N4, 686,119,498.58).

However, before the judgment could be enforced, Okocha, died and Rice had to flee the country after he began receiving threats to his life.

“The Honourable Court only set aside the judgment delivered against the first defendant while both final and interlocutory judgments delivered against the second to seventh defendants are still subsisting,” Akindele added.

When the case came up before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola, Akindele, represented by Tijani Ishola, told the court about the pending application.

The judge asked the lawyer why they had waited for 17 years after the judgement was delivered before coming for enforcement.

The lawyer responded that his client had unsuccessfully sought to enforce the judgment but had to run for his life after receiving several threats to his life, adding that his then lawyer died under “mysterious” circumstances.

The plaintiff also prayed for an extension of time within which to apply to take further steps in compliance with the judgment, and an order allowing Rice to take the steps towards recovering the sum.

Justice Olatoregun-Ishola adjourned until 8 March for hearing.