“No Evidence of Terrorism” – Court Acquits Ajao Estate Igbo Leader After 2 Years In Detention

A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has acquitted Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, of all terrorism-related charges after spending nearly two years in detention at Ikoyi Prison.

Nwajagu had been accused of attempting to incite violence by inviting members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect Igbo properties in Lagos. The charges stemmed from a video that surfaced in April 2023, where he expressed concern over attacks on the Igbo community.

Delivering the verdict on January 15, 2025, Justice Yetunde Adesanya stated that there was no sufficient evidence to convict Nwajagu on the terrorism charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

However, the court found him guilty of violating Lagos State’s Oba and Chiefs Law for unlawfully parading himself as a certified chief. Nwajagu was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the offense but was released immediately due to the time he had already served.

Nwajagu’s defense counsel, Chief Fabian Onwughalu, hailed the ruling as a landmark victory for the Igbo community in Lagos. He also announced plans to appeal the conviction on the traditional title charge, describing it as an infringement on the community’s cultural rights.

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