The trial of Ajao Estate’s Eze Ndigbo, Frederick Nwajagu, who threatened to invite the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos state, will begin in July.
Nwajagu on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the nine charges brought against him by the Lagos State government before the Hon. Judge YA Adesanya (Mrs.) of the State High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa (TBS) Square.
According to the state Ministry of Justice, the nine charges include: acts of terrorism; participation in a meeting on terrorism in support of a proscribed entity; attempt to finance an act of terrorism; preparation to commit an act of terrorism; Among others.
“On May 9, 2023, the Hon. The Lagos State Attorney General, represented by Mr. Jonathan Ogunsanya (Deputy Director, State Ministry of Justice), indicted Frederick Nkemdilim Nwajago (Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos) on one count of nine counts before Hon. Judge YA Adesanya (Ms.), in Trial No. LD/21505C/2023 – The State of Lagos Vs Frederick Nkemdilim Nwanjago.
“The defendant was prosecuted for the offenses of attempting to commit acts of terrorism under Section 403(2) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015; Participation in a terrorist meeting in support of a proscribed entity, attempt to finance an act of terrorism, preparation to commit an act of terrorism under sections 12(c), 18, 21, 29 and 12(a) of terrorism ( prevention and prohibition) Law, 2022, among others.
“The defendant pleaded not guilty to all nine charges. The matter was adjourned to July 4-5, 2023 for trial,” a Justice Ministry statement said on Wednesday.
THE WHISTLER recalls that a Court of First Instance based in Sabo-Yaba, last Wednesday, granted Nwajagu a bond in the amount of N1 million with 4 guarantees.
The 67-year-old man was arrested in April for threatening to invite IPOB to Lagos to protect Igbo businesses and property in the state.
In a 49-second video shared on Twitter by one Ayekooto @DeeOneAyekooto, the Igbo leader argued that the move was necessary to prevent attacks on Igbo businesses in the state.
“IPOB, we will invite you. They don’t have a job. The entire IPOB will protect all our stores. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilize for that. We have to do that,” Nwajagu had said.
“We must have our own security so that they stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning and in the afternoon.
“When they find out that we have our own security, before they come, they will know that we have our own men there.”
“I am not saying a single word to hide it. I do not hide my words; Let my words go viral.
“The Igbo must get their rights and stand up in Lagos State.”
