Igbo community leader Fredrick Nwajagu, 67, the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, has been granted bail by a chief magistrates’ court in the Sabo neighbourhood of Yaba, Lagos. This was for reportedly threatening to introduce the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the state.
As a result, Nwajagu was docked before the court.
The defendant was granted bail in the amount of N1 million with four sureties, all of whom had to reside in Lagos, by Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka.
The court further mandated that one of the sureties must be the owner of a Lagos-based property that is registered with the land bureau and whose paperwork is on file with the court.
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Counsel to the defendant, Nkechi Agubuzor had however argued that the court has a duty to balance the cause of justice and same should be exercised judicially and judiciously. She sought the court’s permission to move her oral application for the bail of her client.
While noting that the DPP advice had not been received, the magistrate also noted that no acknowledgement had come from the DPP’s office on the matter.
Following the oral application of the defendant’s counsel, Magistrate Nwaka granted bail to the defendant.
Eze Fredrick Nwajagu was arrested on April 1, following a viral video in which he threatened to invite IPOB members to Lagos to secure the properties of Igbo people living in the state.
At the last sitting of the court on April 5, the 67-year-old was docked before the court by the police on a two-count charge of conspiracy and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The police prosecutor, SP Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the Eze Ndigbo and some others at large committed the offences on March 26 at No. 2, Akeem Shitu Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.
He alleged that Nwajagu put fear in Lagos residents when he threatened to bring IPOB to the state. Nwajagu was also said to have publicly stated that IPOB would shut down Lagos State for one month.
According to Nurudeen, these alleged offences contravene Sections 168 (d) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Being a remand proceeding to ensure lawful detention, the plea of the defendant was not taken at that proceeding.
The court simply ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi custodial facility for 30 days pending the legal advice of the State’s Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
The Chief Magistrate said he would await the advice of the state’s DPP, Dr Babajide Martins on how to proceed before adjourning the case till today May 3 for mention.
