The Lagos State Government has arraigned the ‘Eze Ndigbo’ of Ajao Estate in Lagos, Frederick Nwajago, for alleged terrorism.
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.”
The self-acclaimed Eze Ndigbo was arrested on April 1 following a viral video, in which he threatened in frustration to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra to Lagos to secure properties of Igbo people living in the state.
He was reacting to the pre and post election violence unleashed on Igbos in Lagos by thugs alleged to be working for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Nobody has been charged by the Lagos Govt in respect to those killed or injured and the properties burned in the violence, which some Igbos in Lagos allege is still ongoing.
Reacting to the failure of the security agents to protect them Nwajago was heard in the49-second viral video saying, “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our security so that they will stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning, and in the afternoon.
“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.”
A Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Jonathan Ogunsanya, who represented the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, told the court that the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate violated the provision of sections 403(2) and 12(c), 18, 21, 29 & 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The accused however pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him.
The judge adjourned till July 4 for commencement of trial.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 