The Lagos State Government has filed a lawsuit against the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate in Lagos, Frederick Nwajago, on nine counts bordering on terrorism.
Nwajago was arraigned on Tuesday at the State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
The charges brought against him bordered on “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.”
Background
On April 1, Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate was arrested after posting a 49 seconds video which later surfaced and went viral online.
The post includes harmful content which violated the Lagos State Criminal Act.
Nwajago threatened to call on the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to come to Lagos and ensure the security of Igbos against security threats.
He said he will invite the IPOB to secure their properties from the attack they experience day and night.
He also added that the IPOB group does not have a job and this act will give them one while they pay for their work as Igbo’s security.
“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”. Nwajago said in the video.
He further said that all his words are not vain or said secretly, but they are meant to be relevant to their needs of security in the state of Lagos.
He said “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.”
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Lagos State reacts
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, responded to the viral video by assuring the state that the police will not allow any IPOB member to be invited in.
At the court hearing, Jonathan Ogunsanya, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, represented the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo.
Ogunsanya told the court that 69-year-old Nwajago has violated the provision of sections 403(2) and 12(c), 18, 21, 29 & 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Court decision
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, who presided over this case adjourned till July 4 for commencement of trial.
