CITIZENS COMPASS – The Eze Ndigbo of Isolo, Frederick Nwajagu, has been cleared of terrorism charges.
Lagos State High Court sitting at Race Course has discharged and acquitted him of terrorism charges.
Recall that the in 2023, the Lagos State Government detained the monarch for allegedly making a video warning a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo and other Yoruba youths to cease persecution of the Igbo and burning of Igbo-dominated markets in the State.
The video alleged that until this was done, he would be compelled to invite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to secure Igbo markets and assets in the State.
The court ruled on Wednesday that the Lagos State Government failed to substantiate its terrorism claim against the monarch.
It therefore discharged and acquainted the defendant.
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.
One of Nwajagu’s lawyers, Fabian Onwughalu, president emeritus of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos chapter, said in a statement on Thursday that the defence team would work towards upturning the conviction.
“We shall 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. Moreover, the Eze Igbo institution is not recognised by the law of Lagos State, and so has 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,” he said.
