Lagos Court Acquits Eze Ndigbo Frederick Nwajagu of Terrorism Charges, Sentences Him to One Year for Impersonation
A Lagos State High Court, located at Tafawa Balewa Square, has cleared Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, of all terrorism-related charges that led to his imprisonment in Ikoyi Prison since 2023.
Nwajagu, who was detained following his remand on April 5, 2023, by a Magistrate Court in Yaba, had faced allegations of planning to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos for the protection of Igbo lives and properties, should the federal government fail to ensure their safety. The Lagos High Court had previously denied his bail requests.
However, on January 15, 2025, the court acquitted him of nine terrorism-related charges, including conspiracy to commit terrorism, financing terrorism, and supporting a banned organization. The presiding judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, ruled in Nwajagu’s favor, stating that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the charges.
Despite being cleared of the terrorism accusations, Nwajagu was found guilty of impersonating a certified chief under Lagos State’s Oba and Chiefs Law. For this offense, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Chief Fabian Onwughalu, one of Nwajagu’s defense lawyers, shared the court’s decision in a statement to the press, emphasizing that Nwajagu had been unjustly detained for nearly two years. He noted that Nwajagu had been accused of making a video warning certain individuals to stop persecuting the Igbo community in Lagos, or he would be forced to seek assistance from IPOB to protect Igbo interests. The court found that the government had failed to prove the terrorism charges.
Onwughalu also pointed out that the conviction for impersonating a chief was controversial, as the Ezeigbo institution is not recognized under Lagos State law, and the charge infringes on the fundamental rights of the Igbo people in the state. He confirmed plans to appeal the conviction for impersonation.
Although the court’s ruling was bittersweet for Nwajagu’s supporters, Onwughalu expressed satisfaction with the acquittal of terrorism charges, highlighting that the victory was important for the Igbo community, particularly those facing persecution in Lagos.
He concluded by affirming the defense team’s commitment to securing justice for Nwajagu, and noted their pride in providing legal services on apro bono basis.
