Self-acclaimed Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate Lagos, Frederick Nwajagu has regained his freedom after a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square discharged and acquitted him on charges of terrorism.
Mr. Nwajagu was escorted into detention at the Ikoyi Correctional in 2023, after he was accused of plotting to invite Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) fighters to Lagos, if the Lagos State and the Federal government failed to safeguard the lives and property of Ibos living in Lagos.
He was however, acquitted of terrorism charges, but the Court convicted and sentenced him to 12 months in prison for parading himself as a certified chief in Lagos State, in violation of the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State. But having stayed in prison and served the time, he was released to go home.
Nwajagu’s lawyer, Fabian Onwughalu confirmed the court’s decision in a statement: “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, 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.”
