Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, Frederick Nwajagu has been acquitted of terrorism charges by Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square.
On April 5, 2023, a Lagos State Magistrates Court in Yaba ordered Nwajagu’s remand at the Ikoyi custodial centre, while subsequent efforts to secure his bail were denied by the Lagos State High Court.
Nwajagu was accused of threatening to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to protect the lives and property of Igbo people if the Federal Government failed to safeguard them against attacks.
However, the court, convicted and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment for the offence of parading himself as a certified chief in Lagos State, contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
Nwajagu, who was standing trial before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of Lagos State High Court since 2023, on nine counts bordering on an attempt to commit acts of terrorism, financing terrorism, participating in terrorism meeting to support a proscribed entity, was discharged and acquitted on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Accroding to SaharaReporters, one of Nwajagu’s lawyers, Fabian Onwughalu, president emeritus of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos chapter, in a statement on Thursday said the defence team would work towards upturning the conviction.
Onwughalu said: “Eze Fred Nwajagu, Ezeigbo, Ajao Estate, Lagos State was thrown into detention by Lagos State Government for terrorism and other offences allegedly for making a video warning MC Oluomo and other Yoruba youths to cease persecution of Ndigbo and burning of Igbo dominated markets in Lagos State, or else he would be compelled to invite IPOB to secure Igbo markets and assets in Lagos State.
“He was however convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the offence of parading himself as a certified Chief in Lagos State contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
“Having been incarcerated for almost two years, he was ordered to be released immediately,” he said.
Onwughalu said even though it was painful that Nwajagu was incarcerated, he maintained that the court victory is for Igbo people all over the world, “especially those in Lagos State who are being persecuted and dehumanised just because of their tribal leaning.”
He, however, vowed that their team would appeal Nwajagu’s conviction for parading himself as a chief in Lagos State, claiming that the prosecution did not prove the offence to warrant the conviction.
He stated that the Ezeigbo institution is not recognised by the law of Lagos State, and so have nothing to do with the Oba and Chiefs Law.
“Also the conviction offends the fundamental rights of Freedom of Association of Ndigbo in Lagos State.
“I am happy to be among the Counsel in the defence team who diligently offered their services pro bono.”
Backstory
On April 1, 2023, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed the arrest of the chief after a video where he made an “inciting statement” surfaced online.
In the clip, Nwajagu, dressed in his royal regalia, said Igbo indigenes in Lagos must recruit members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to defend their properties from looters.
On April 5, 2023, a magistrate court sitting in the Yaba area of Lagos remanded Nwajagu in prison custody.
