The Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate in Lagos, Frederick Nkemdilim Nwajagu, has been arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) on charges of alleged terrorism. The case, marked no: LD/21505C/2023, involves nine-count charges related to acts of terrorism, support for a proscribed entity, financing terrorism, and preparation for acts of terrorism.

The charges against Nwajagu are in violation of Section 403(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and sections 12(c), 18, 21, 29 & 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, among others.

Represented by Jonathan Ogunsanya, the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State Attorney General Moyosore Onigbanjo requested that the defendant be allowed to enter his plea. Nwajagu pleaded not guilty to all counts, vehemently denying the allegations.

The trial is set to commence on July 4th and 5th, 2023, as the judge adjourned the case accordingly. Nwajagu’s arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) came in response to an alleged threat to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos for the protection of Igbo properties within the state.