A Chief Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, has been discharged and acquitted of all terrorism-related charges by the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square.
Nwajagu had been incarcerated in Ikoyi Prison since 2023, facing nine counts of attempting to commit acts of terrorism, financing terrorism, participating in terrorism, and meeting to support a proscribed entity.
However, the court convicted and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment for parading himself as a certified Chief in Lagos State, contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
This verdict was delivered by Justice Yetunde Adesanya on Wednesday, January 15, according a statement issued by of his Counsels, Chief Fabian Onwughalu on Friday.
Onwughalu said: “A well deserved victory was secured for the Igbo Nation in Lagos State today 15/01/2025 as a Lagos State High Court sitting at Racecourse discharged and acquitted one of our own who has been incarcerated in Ikoyi Prison since 2023.
“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 Olu Omo 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.
“The Lagos State Government abysmally failed to prove any of the ingredients of the offence of terrorism charges against the young Ezeigbo, and the High Court coram Adesanya, J discharged and acquitted him of all the counts of the terrorism related offences.
“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 painful for the years of incarceration, he maintained that this victory is for Nidgbo all over the world especially those in Lagos State who are being persecuted and dehumanised just because of their trial leaning.
He, however, vowed that their team will strive to set aside the conviction on parading himself as a Chief in Lagos State on appeal as 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.”
