A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has acquitted 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 allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
However, the court found Nwajagu guilty of unlawfully presenting himself as a titled chief in Lagos, violating the Lagos State Oba and Chiefs Law.
For this offence, he was sentenced to one year in prison without the option of a fine.
Since Nwajagu had already spent over two years in detention during the trial, the judge ruled that he had served more than the required sentence and ordered his release.
Nwajagu, 67, was arrested on April 1, 2023, after a video circulated online in which he allegedly threatened to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to safeguard Igbo properties.
In the 49-second video, he was heard saying IPOB members could be mobilized to provide security for Igbo businesses.
On April 5, he was charged with conspiracy and conduct likely to breach public peace.
Police prosecutor SP Thomas Nurudeen alleged that Nwajagu, along with others still at large, made threats that unsettled Lagos residents. He was accused of publicly declaring that IPOB would shut Lagos for a month.
Nwajagu initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On May 6, Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka granted him bail of ₦1 million with four sureties, including one who owned registered property in Lagos.
However, Nwajagu could not meet the bail conditions and remained in custody.
On May 9, 2023, the Lagos State Government filed a nine-count charge against Nwajagu, including attempting to commit terrorism, participating in a terrorist meeting, and attempting to finance terrorism under various sections of the Lagos Criminal Law and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022. He pleaded not guilty, and the trial commenced on July 4, 2024.
