BREAKING NEWS! Court Clears Eze Ndigbo of Terrorism Charges, Sentences Him to 12 Months for Impersonation




Lagos Court Clears Eze Ndigbo of Terrorism Charges, Sentences Him to 12 Months for Impersonation...

 Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate in Lagos, has been acquitted of all terrorism charges, but convicted for impersonating a certified chief in Lagos. On January 15, 2025, a Lagos State High Court, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, discharged Nwajagu of accusations related to terrorism, which had led to his detention since 2023.

Nwajagu had been arrested and detained in April 2023 following his controversial statement that he would invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to protect the lives and properties of Igbo people if the federal government failed to ensure their safety. The Lagos State Government had charged him with attempting to commit acts of terrorism, financing terrorism, and supporting a proscribed entity, among other offenses. However, the court found that the prosecution had failed to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to Nwajagu’s acquittal on all counts related to terrorism.

Despite being cleared of the terrorism-related charges, the court convicted Nwajagu for unlawfully parading himself as a certified chief in Lagos, contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State. As a result, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison. This conviction stems from Nwajagu’s claim to the title of "Eze Ndigbo," a position not legally recognized under Lagos State law, which led to the charge of impersonation.

Chief Fabian Onwughalu, one of Nwajagu’s legal representatives, expressed the defense team's disappointment at the conviction but hailed the acquittal on the terrorism charges as a victory for the Igbo community in Lagos and beyond. He criticized the legal basis for the charge of impersonation, arguing that the Ezeigbo institution is not officially recognized under Lagos State law, and therefore, Nwajagu should not have been convicted under the Oba and Chiefs Law. Onwughalu also maintained that the case represented a broader struggle for the rights of the Igbo people in Lagos, particularly against perceived persecution due to their ethnic identity.

The court’s decision to release Nwajagu immediately after serving nearly two years in detention has been met with mixed reactions. While some view the acquittal on terrorism charges as a relief for Nwajagu and his supporters, the 12-month sentence for impersonation remains contentious. Nwajagu's legal team has expressed their intent to appeal the conviction, citing a lack of evidence to support the charge.

This case has sparked significant debate about the treatment of ethnic groups in Lagos, with many supporters of Nwajagu arguing that the prosecution was politically motivated and aimed at suppressing the Igbo community’s rights to self-representation and protection. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of the appeal will likely have broader implications for the rights of ethnic minorities in the state.


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