The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) will on July 5 commence the trial of the leader of an Igbo community in Ajao Estate, Lagos, Eze Ndigbo Fredrick Nwajagu, for alleged terrorism.
Justice Yetunde Adeaanya fixed the date on Tuesday, May 9, following Nwajago’s arraignment and “not guilty” plea to a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged offence.
According to a statement from the Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, Grace Alo, Nwajago was brought before the court by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo.
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 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.
“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.
On April 5, a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Sabo, Yaba, remanded Nwajago for allegedlly threatening to bring the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the state.
Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka ordered that the defendant, aged 67, be kept at the Ikoyi Custodial Facility for 30 days, pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Nwajagu was held on a temporary charge of conspiracy and breach of public peace.
His plea was not taken.
Prosecuting Superintendent of Police (SP) Thomas Nurudeen told the court that Nwajagu and some others at large committed the alleged offences on March 26, 2023 at No. 2, Akeem Shitu Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.
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He alleged that Nwajagu put fear in Lagos residents when he threatened to bring IPOB to the state.
He submitted that Nwajagu publicly said that IPOB would shut down Lagos State for one month.
According to Nurudeen, the alleged offences contravene sections 168 (d) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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