Court Delivers Ruling In Terrorism Charge Against ‘Eze Ndigbo Of Ajao Estate’ Frederick Nwajagu

A Lagos State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square on the island has acquitted and discharged Frederick Nwajagu, the “Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate,” of terrorism charges. Justice Yetunde Adesanya ruled that the prosecution, represented by the Lagos State Government, failed to prove the terrorism allegations against him beyond a reasonable doubt.

However, the court found Nwajagu guilty of unlawfully presenting himself as a titled chief in Lagos, in violation of the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

He was sentenced to one year in prison, without the option of a fine.

Given that Nwajagu, 67, had already been in custody for over two years during the trial, Justice Adesanya ordered his release, noting that he had served more than the prescribed term for the offence.

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Nwajagu, who was arrested on April 1, 2023, had allegedly threatened in a viral video to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to protect the properties of Igbo residents in the state.

In the 49-second viral video, Nwajago was heard saying, “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our security so that they will stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning, and in the afternoon.”

On April 5th, Nwajagu was arraigned before a Magistrate Court by the police on charges of conspiracy and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. Police prosecutor SP Thomas Nurudeen told the court that Nwajagu, along with others at large, committed the offences on March 26 at No. 2, Akeem Shitu Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos State. He alleged that Nwajagu caused fear among Lagos residents by threatening to bring members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the state and stating publicly that IPOB would shut down Lagos for a month.

Nwajagu pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On May 6th, Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka granted Nwajagu bail in the sum of N1 million, with four sureties, all of whom were required to be residents of Lagos. One of the sureties had to own a property in Lagos, registered with the Land Bureau, and submit the documents to the court. However, Nwajagu was unable to meet the bail conditions and remained in custody.

On May 9th, 2023, Nwajagu was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a nine-count charge, including attempts to commit acts of terrorism, participation in terrorism meetings, and financing terrorism, under various provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the trial was adjourned to July 4th, 2024.

During the trial, one of the prosecution’s witnesses, Raulat Ibrahim, testified that the title “Eze Ndigbo” was not recognized in Lagos State.

Ibrahim, a civil servant at the Ministry of Local Governments, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, explained the process of confirming chieftaincy titles in Lagos.

She stated that the procedure, governed by the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, required the local government to forward a request to the Ministry of Justice, which would then send it to the Lagos State Standing Tribunal for Chieftaincy Matters.

The tribunal would publish the name in a national newspaper, and interested parties could join the process. Ibrahim noted that there was no recognized Oba or chief in Ajao Estate.

“After it has been resolved, the file will be sent back to our ministry for further processing. Then we start all over again to the ministry of justice to the governor’s office etc. Then the ministry will now issue a letter of approval. On the installation day, a certificate of issue will be sent by the Governor for approval, then the ministry will install the Oba.

“The letter of approval will be signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry. There is no installation for Chief. It’s the letter that shows his recognition as a chief in Lagos state,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim also told the court that the defendant did not parade himself as Elegushi of Ikate, Baale of Addo nor any of the recognised chiefs.

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