TERRORISM: EZE NDIGBO WAS NOT ISSUED ANY CERTIFICATE BY LASG AS A RECOGNIZED TITLE HOLDER – PW2
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has on Wednesday heard the cross-examination of the second prosecuting witness in the ongoing trial of the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, Frederick Nwajagu for alleged terrorism.
While speaking before the court, PW2 who is a Police Investigation, mentioned that defendant Nwajagu, on 26th of march, 2023, while addressing his subjects, recorded the purported viral video in which he said that he was going to shut down Lagos State by bringing in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), proscribed terrorist group into Lagos to protect the Igbo Community.
He also added that the defendant was never issued a certificate by the Lagos State Government as a recognized title holder.
When he was asked again by the defense counsel, Chief Emefo Etudo, if the purpoted video caused panic that led to shutting down of public facilities including schools.
He answered, “The purported video actually brought fear and tension to the people in Lagos. Immediately the statement was made, we received information from the Commissioner of Police to swing into action. The video was made during the election period and most public facilities was shut down. No school was shut down as a result of his statement.”
“During this period, there were injuries and victims from elections were brought to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).”
After listening to PW2’s explanation, Justice Adesanya adjourned the matter to 11th of January, 2024 for continuation of trial.
Recall that the 67 year old Eze Ndigbo was arrested on April 1, 2023 by the 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.
On May 9, the then Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN) had arraigned the defendant on a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged offence in a suit marked LD/21505C/2023.
The defendant was accused of attempting carry out an 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.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
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