A Lagos High Court sitting on Tuesday fixed today (Wednesday) for the commencement of the trial of Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, Frederick Nwajagu for alleged terrorism.
The presiding Judge, Yetunde Adesanya fixed today for the commencement of the trial following absence of Nwajagu’s counsel on Tuesday.
Nwajagu, 67, was arrested in April by operatives Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged threat to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to secure properties of Igbo people in the state.
He was subsequently arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism
The nine counts include “Attempt to do acts of terrorism 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.
Nwajagu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Adesanya adjourned till July 4 for commencement of trial.
But at the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel announced his presence, but there was no legal representative for the defendant.
When asked by the court about his counsel, Nwajagu said he was surprised that he was not present in court. He said the lawyer had earlier promised that he will be in court alongside his junior.
Justice Adesanya consequently adjourned till July 5 for trial to commence.
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Sabo, Yaba, had on 5 April remanded Nwajagu for allegedly threatening to bring the proscribed IPOB to Lagos state.
Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka ordered that the defendant 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 Shittu Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.
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.
