By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

Lagos—A Kirikiri prison officer, ACP Abdullahi Garuba, yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that he saw Justice Joseph Oyewole’s registrar, Ms. Rosulu Idowu Oluronke, visit the prison thrice to see a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua.

Fred Ajudua

Rosulu is being accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of aiding Ajudua to defraud a former army General, Ishaya Bamaiyi, (Abacha’s Chief of Army Staff) of the total sum of $8.4million.

Testifying before the presiding judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, Garuba explained that the defendant (Rosulu) 1st visit at the Kirikiri maximum prison was to see Ajudua, Bamaiyi and Alumile Adedeji a.k.a. Ade Bendel.

According to him, during the 2nd visit of the defendant (Rosulu) at the Kirikiri maximum prison, he saw her with Ajudua and Bamaiyi, while the 3rd visit that $330,000 was allegedly brought had the presence of Ajudua’s boy, Jonathan, and Bamaiyi.

It will be recalled that during Monday’s proceeding, Bamaiyi told the court that on November 20, 2004 when the defendant (Rosulu) visited the prison for 3rd time, $330,000 (33 bundle of $100USD) kept in a red ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bag was handed over to her, which Ajudua allegedly sent his boy, Jonathan, to assist on counting and carrying out of the prison.

Confirming Bamaiyi’s claim, the prison officer (ACP Garuba) informed the court that on the 3rd visit, the defendant (Rosulu) and Jonathan (Ajudua’s boy) carried a red “Ghana-Must-Go” bag containing $330,000 out of the prison, after having counted the money in his presence.

ACP Garuba maintained that the $330,000 was a 33 bundle of $100USD denomination, adding that the money only passed the gate of Kirikiri maximum prison but did not get inside the prison.

During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr. Bamidele Ogundele, ACP Garuba said the Prison’s Act Rules & Regulation do allow inmates to bring substantial amount to Kirikiri maximum prison, if there is a purpose for it and such money is kept for the user.

“The Prison’s Act Rules & Regulation do allow inmates to bring substantial amount, if there is a purpose for that, and such money will be kept for the user. $330,000USD did not enter inside the prison. It passed through the gate and my office is at the gate. My superior, DCP  Vincent Obi, was aware of all these processes,” he said.

The prison officer noted that the Kirikiri maximum prison classify certain inmates as special detainees, and visit to them is cumbersome.

“Before we have five special detainees. Special inmate visit goes with an application and passport of the inmate to see. The application is then taken to the DCP, if the inmate want to see the person and we observe them in our office. Bamaiyi, CSP Rabo, James Danbaba, Hamza Mustapha and Yakubu were then the special inmates at the Kirikiri maximum prison,” ACP Garuba explained.

Asked whether there is any evidence to show that the defendant (Rosulu) visited the prison, the prison officer replied that the only evidence was himself and his colleagues who witnessed the visits, but there is no record.

After listening to the prison officer, Justice Lawal-Akapo adjourned till May 11, 12 & 13 for continuation of trial and asked the prosecution to assemble all witnesses against the dates.

The court filings reveal that, between November 2004 and June 2005, Ajudua funneled the sum of $330,000 through Rosulu and others. Ajudua was at the Kirikiri maximum-security prison during the period.

EFCC allege that Ajudua was able to defraud Bamaiyi by claiming to have close ties with Justice Oyewole, before whom  Bamaiyi was standing trial.

Rosulu is facing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences and obtaining money by false pretences.