The Lagos State government on Wednesday, arraigned an Igbo community leader in Ajao Estate area of the state, Eze Ndigbo Fredrick Nwajagu, in a Federal High sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), on suspected terrorist charges.
On Wednesday, Nwajagu appeared before the Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square to face a nine-count charge.
Following the release of a video online in which the chief made an “inciting statement,” the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed the chief’s arrest on April 1.
Following a video in which he allegedly threatened to invite members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect the Igbos and their properties following a series of attacks on markets dominated by Igbo traders where their goods and properties were destroyed, Nwajagu was arrested in March by employees of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to a statement that was made available to journalists by Grace Alo, the Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, Nwajago was brought before the court by Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In his submission, the prosecuting officer, Superintendent of Police (SP) Thomas Nurudeen, informed the court that the alleged offenses were committed on March 26, 2023, at No. 2nd Street, Akeem Shitu, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.
“The accused, Nwajagu, put fear in Lagos residents when he threatened to bring IPOB to the state. He publicly said that IPOB would shut Lagos State for one month,” Nurudeen said, adding that the alleged offences contravene sections 168 (d) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“Onigbanjo, represented by Mr. Jonathan Ogunsanya (a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice), arraigned the defendant in a suit marked “LD/21505C/2023 – THE STATE OF LAGOS VS FREDERICK NKEMDILIM NWANJAGO,” the statement said.
“The nine counts include attempt to do acts of terorism under Section 403(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015; “Participation in a 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, amongst others,” it added.
The defendant was ordered to remain at the Ikoyi Custodial Facility for thirty days following the conclusion of the proceeding by Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka while awaiting advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the case was postponed until July 5.
Glamour Adah
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