The trial of the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, Frederick Nwajagu, on a terrorism charge brought by the Lagos State Government could not commence as scheduled on Tuesday, owing to the absence of his counsel.

The proceedings were stalled at the Lagos High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos as the defendant told Justice Yetunde Adesanya that he was surprised his counsel was not in court.

At the last sitting of the court on May 9, Nwajagu, aged 67, was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a nine-count charge bordering on an Attempt to do Acts of Terrorism under Section 403(2) of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015; Participation in Terrorism Meeting to Support a Proscribed Entity, Attempt to finance an Act of Terrorism, and Preparation to Commit an Act of Terrorism under Sections 12(c), 18, 21, 29 & 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, among others.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the nine counts and the trial was adjourned to July 4 and 5.

When the case was called in court, the prosecution counsel announced his presence but there was no legal representative for the defendant.
Asked by the court about his counsel, the defendant said that he was surprised about the absence of his counsel. He said that his lawyer had promised him that his junior counsel would be in court.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya has adjourned till Wednesday, July 5 for the commencement of trial.
Eze Fredrick Nwajagu was arrested on April 1, following a viral video in which he threatened to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to secure the properties of Igbo people living in the state.

On April 5, Nwajagu was docked before the Magistrates’ court by the police on a two-count charge of conspiracy and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The police prosecutor, SP Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the Eze Ndigbo and some others at large committed the offences on March 26 at No. 2, Akeem Shitu Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.
He alleged that Nwajagu put fear in Lagos residents when he threatened to bring IPOB to the state. Nwajagu was also said to have publicly stated that IPOB would shut Lagos State for one month.
According to Nurudeen, these alleged offences contravene Sections 168 (d) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Being a remand proceeding to ensure lawful detention, the plea of the defendant was not taken.
The court simply ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi custodial facility for 30 days pending the legal advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins.
Following the receipt of the legal advice which indicated that the defendant had a case to answer, he was arraigned by the Lagos State Government at the State High Court.

gidgiddy:
This is one of the most useless case I have ever seen, all based on a video clip

In serious countries, terrorism must be an action

In Nigeria, terrorism is just mere words uttered on a video

Cooletempa:


Las las...una will learn that lagos get owners.

gidgiddy:
This is one of the most useless case I have ever seen, all based on a video clip

In serious countries, terrorism must be an action

In Nigeria, terrorism is just mere words uttered on a video

hedonido:


So that's the point eh? Abusing the rule of law just to prove primitive points eh?

You shortsighted monkeys would learn too late that seasons change and what goes around comes around. You will understand.

Guyman01:
Allow that man to breathe, you have punished him enough just for comment he made in frustration at what miscreants were doing to his people, people who said worse are visiting Aso Villa and denigrating our armed forces as oil bunkerers right in the official press center of the president

MadamExcellency:
They should jail him, we don't care. When he was campaigning for Tinubu and APC, and telling Igbos to support Lagos State Governor's second term, he thinks the knife was meant for non supporters of APC.

This is own goal

T8ksy:



Una never jam!!!

I thought, you guys says "lagos is no man's land", ni?oh well, the true owners of lagos go show you lot, shege.

This is just the beginning , you ain't seen nothing yet. Your dumb eze will spend a decade in jail and nothing will happen. The least you all will do is to go online, to wail & moan.

By fire by force, you all go sabi say, One Nigeria or no one Nigeria, lagos belongs to some group and that group ain't igbos.

Guyman01:
Allow that man to breathe, you have punished him enough just for comment he made in frustration at what miscreants were doing to his people, people who said worse are visiting Aso Villa and denigrating our armed forces as oil bunkerers right in the official press center of the president

MadamExcellency:
They should jail him, we don't care. When he was campaigning for Tinubu and APC, and telling Igbos to support Lagos State Governor's second term, he thinks the knife was meant for non supporters of APC.

This is own goal

gidgiddy:


If there was anything like 'one Nigeria', everywhere in Nigeria would be no man's land since we supposedly "one"

An old man of 70 years talks on a video clip and those who claim to own Lagos call for his head

But nobody sees the same passion when Northerners attack and kill the the owners of Lagos, in the same Lagos

Their problem is what an old man said in his living room

gidgiddy:


If there was anything like 'one Nigeria', everywhere in Nigeria would be no man's land since we supposedly "one"

An old man of 70 years talks on a video clip and those who claim to own Lagos call for his head

But nobody sees the same passion when Northerners attack and kill the the owners of Lagos, in the same Lagos

Their problem is what an old man said in his living room

gidgiddy:
This is one of the most useless case I have ever seen, all based on a video clip

In Biafra land, terrorism must be an action

In Nigeria, terrorism is just mere words uttered on a video

greatiyk4u:
What is his crime again?

Obaofaba:


Maybe in Biafra land, threatening to bring down a state is not an act of terrorism not Nigeria.

That's why igboland is not liveable with killings everywhere, we will not allow that nonsense in Nigeria.

You must learn by force Mr Efulefu

ImperialYoruba:
He should be given the death sentence.

0 tolerance for terrorism