Igbo ‘Chief’ Sentenced To Prison For Threatening To Invite IPOB To Lagos

A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has acquitted Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, of all terrorism charges brought against him.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nwajagu had been detained at Ikoyi Prison since 2023. The case dates back to April 5, 2023, when a Lagos State Magistrates Court in Yaba ordered his remand at the Ikoyi custodial centre. Efforts to secure his bail were repeatedly denied by the Lagos State High Court.

Nwajagu faced accusations of threatening to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to protect Igbo lives and property due to inadequate security from the Federal Government.

While the High Court acquitted him of terrorism-related charges, he was convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison for parading himself as a certified chief in Lagos State, in violation of the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya presided over the case, where Nwajagu faced nine counts, including attempts to commit terrorism, financing terrorism, participating in terrorism, and supporting a proscribed entity. On January 15, 2025, he was discharged and acquitted of all terrorism-related charges.

One of Nwajagu’s lawyers, Fabian Onwughalu, confirmed the court’s decision in a statement to SaharaReporters. Onwughalu stated, “Eze Fred Nwajagu, Ezeigbo, Ajao Estate, Lagos State, was detained by the Lagos State Government for terrorism and other offences allegedly for making a video warning Olu Omo and other Yoruba youths to cease persecuting Ndigbo and burning Igbo-dominated markets in Lagos State, or else he would be compelled to invite IPOB to secure Igbo markets and assets in Lagos State.

“The Lagos State Government failed to prove any of the ingredients of the offence of terrorism charges against the young Ezeigbo, and the High Court coram Adesanya, discharged and acquitted him of all the counts of the terrorism-related offences.

“He was, however, convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the offence of parading himself as a certified Chief in Lagos State contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

“Having been incarcerated for almost two years, he was ordered to be released immediately.”

Onwughalu expressed mixed feelings about the case, noting that while Nwajagu’s incarceration was painful, his acquittal was a significant victory for the Igbo community, especially those facing persecution in Lagos.

He also revealed plans to appeal Nwajagu’s conviction for parading himself as a chief, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove the charge. Onwughalu further contended that the Ezeigbo institution is not recognized under Lagos State law and should not be subject to the Oba and Chiefs Law.

“Additionally, the conviction offends the fundamental rights of Freedom of Association for Ndigbo in Lagos State,” he said. “I am happy to be among the Counsel in the defence team who diligently offered their services pro bono.”