by Samuel
The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended Fred Ajudua, a notorious suspected serial fraudster, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on serious charges related to land fraud and forgery. According to sources, Ajudua has been in police custody for three days.
Known as a pioneer of advance fee fraud, or “419,” Ajudua has reportedly scammed numerous victims, particularly in his home state of Delta. In 2022, he was exposed for defrauding former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi of $8.4 million, with leaked phone calls revealing his connections to police authorities and magistrates.
In these recordings, Ajudua admitted to possessing an extensive arsenal, including over 30 AK-47 rifles, and confessed to employing gunmen for various purposes, from self-defense to assassination. He also claimed to have bribed the then-Delta State Commissioner of Police with N3 million to secure the release of an AK-47 seized from one of his associates involved in a communal conflict.
Further leaked conversations indicated Ajudua’s influence over judicial proceedings, including a call with Justice Onome Umukoro, where he reportedly influenced the remand of two individuals in a correctional facility.
Ajudua’s criminal history dates back to 2003, linked to multiple fraud cases involving substantial amounts, including a 1.6 million Euro scam and a $1.5 million scheme. His victims include a Canadian man who lost $250,000 and a German national who lost $350,000. He also defrauded two Dutch nationals of over $1.69 million between 1999 and 2000.
This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to tackle financial crimes in Nigeria, particularly those involving high-profile fraudsters like Ajudua.