High Court Orders Immediate Release of Igbo Chief Accused of Threatening to Invite IPOB to Lagos
- Fredrick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate has been declared free from terrorism charges slammed against him by the Lagos state government
- The court ordered the immediate release of the embattled Igbo chief for lack of sufficient evidence by the government
- Nwajagu landed into trouble and was imprisoned after he was seen in a viral video calling on Igbo indigenes in Lagos to recruit IPOB members to protect their properties
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The high court, Lagos division, has acquitted and discharged Fredrick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, of terrorism charges.
Source: Facebook
On Wednesday, January 15, the presiding judge, Yetunde Adesanya, ruled that the Lagos state government led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu failed to prove the terrorism charges against Nwajagu beyond a reasonable doubt.
Despite the acquittal, the judge convicted Nwajagu for parading himself as a chief in violation of the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos state.
As reported by The Cable, Nwajagu was sentenced to one year in prison, but given that he had already spent nearly two years in prison custody, the judge ordered his immediate release.
Why Nwajagu was arrested and imprisoned
Reports disclosed that in April 2023, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) arrested Nwajagu after a video surfaced online in which he made an “inciting statement”.
Nwajagu urged Igbo indigenes in Lagos state to recruit members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to protect their properties from looters.
Following his actions, a magistrate court in the Yaba area of Lagos remanded Nwajagu in prison custody.
He was subsequently arraigned on a nine-count charge of terrorism and impersonation.
Legit.ng understands that the embattled Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is currently detained by the Department of State Service (DSS).
Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015, and slammed with 11 charges, including terrorism and treasonable felony.
Read more on IPOB's controversial activities:
- Soludo reacts to allegations of opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release
- “Why Nnamdi Kanu’s release may not end insecurity in south-east,” Soludo speaks
- Did US President-elect Donald Trump ask Tinubu's govt to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu?
- Nigerian army busts IPOB hideout, take down 13 members, arrest notorious kidnappers
- DSS launches major operations in Southeast, North, kills scores of IPOB/ESN members, bandits
Enugu governor briefs Tinubu on IPOB's sit-at-home
In another development, Legit.ng earlier reported that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu said residents of the state no longer observe the sit-at-home order declared by the IPOB.
Mbah noted that the people of Enugu now go about their business without fear of being attacked by sit-at-home enforcers.
The governor made these remarks after Tinubu paid a one-day official visit to Enugu on Saturday, January 4, 2025, during which he (Tinubu) commissioned some projects in Enugu state.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
