Politics
Lagos lawyers hail acquittal of ‘Eze Ndigbo Ajao Estate’ of terrorism charges
Lawyers in Lagos have hailed the judgment of a Lagos High Court that discharged the self acclaimed Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Frederick Nwajagu, of terrorism charges.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya had on Wednesday ruled that the Lagos State Government failed to establish the necessary elements of the terrorism-related charges brought against Nwajagu.
However, the court convicted and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment for unlawfully parading himself as a certified Chief in Lagos State, a violation of the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
The judge ordered his immediate release because Nwajagu had already spent nearly two years in detention.
Reacting to the judgment, Chibuikem Opara, a partner at Justification Chambers in Ikeja, described it as a victory for justice and a boost for public confidence in the judiciary.
“When we see some judges who are not intimidated, we applaud them. Criminal litigation is clear cut in presentation. Where the essential elements of an alleged crime are not proved, the rational thing to do is discharge and acquittal,” Opara told NAN on Thursday.
He also encouraged the defence team to appeal the conviction related to Nwajagu’s title.
Another lawyer, Ademola Owolabi of Owolabi Chambers, commended the ruling and emphasised the importance of thorough preparation by the prosecution before initiating trials.
Lagos State Government arraigned Nwajagu on May 9, 2023, on a nine-count charge, including attempting to commit terrorism, financing terrorism and associating with a proscribed group. He pleaded not guilty.
Nwajagu was arrested on April 1, 2023, after a video surfaced online showing him threatening to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to safeguard the property of Igbo residents in the state.