Lagos govt arraigns Eze Ndigbo for terrorism

Frederick Nwajago, the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos' Ajao Estate, has been charged with terrorism by the government of Lagos State.

He was arraigned before the state high court sitting Tafawa Balewa Square on nine counts, in which he was accused of “attempt to do acts of terrorism, participation in terrorism, meeting to support a proscribed entity, attempt to finance an act of terrorism and preparation to commit an act of terrorism, preferred against him by the state government.”

According to The PUNCH, Nwajagu was detained on April 1 as a result of a viral video in which he threatened to call Igbo people living in the state to Lagos to secure their property.

Nwajago was heard saying, "IPOB, we will invite them," in the 49-second viral video. They are unemployed. The entire IPOB will defend all of our stores. And we must compensate them. For that, we must mobilize. We must carry out that. In order for them to cease attacking us at midnight, in the morning, and in the afternoon, we must have our own protection.

“When they discover that we have our security before they will come, they will know that we have our men there. I am not saying a single word to be hidden. I am not hiding my words, let my words go viral. Igbo must get their right and get a stand in Lagos State.”

In response to his comments, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer for the Lagos Police, stated the command will oppose IPOB's presence in the state.

The 67-year-old was taken before the Lagos State Magistrates' Court in Yaba after his arrest, which issued a ruling that he should be kept in prison custody.

He was brought by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Tuesday and arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.

Jonathan Ogunsanya, a deputy director in the Ministry of Justice, testified in court on behalf of Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, the attorney general of Lagos State, that the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate had violated sections 403(2) and 12(c), 18, 21, and 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendant, however, entered a not-guilty plea when the charges were directed at him.

The trial was delayed by the judge until July 4.

Source