A Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square on the Island has acquitted and discharged the “Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate” in the State, Frederick Nwajagu on allegations of terrorism.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya held that the prosecution, the Lagos State Government could not prove the offence of terrorism against him beyond any reasonable doubt.

The court, however, found him guilty of parading himself as a titled chief in Lagos, contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, an offence for which he was consequently sentenced to one year imprisonment, without an option of fine.

But Justice Adesanya held that since Nwajagu has been in the Correctional Centre for over two years for the alleged offence while the trial lasted, he would be allowed to go home, as he has already served more than the jail term stipulated for the offence.

Eze Fredrick Nwajagu, aged 67, was arrested on April 1, 2023, following a viral video in which he allegedly threatened to invite members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra to Lagos to secure properties of Igbo people living in the state.

In the 49-second viral video, Nwajago was heard saying, “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our security so that they will stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning, and in the afternoon.”

On April 5, Nwajagu was docked before the Magistrate 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 St., 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 Lagos State for one month.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

On May 6, Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1million with 4 sureties, all of whom must be resident in Lagos.

The court also ordered that one of the sureties must own a property in Lagos which must be registered with the land bureau and which documents must be deposited with the court.

But he was unable to meet the bail conditions and remained in custody.

On May 9, 2023, Nwajagu was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a nine-count charge bordering on attempts to commit Acts of Terrorism under Section 403(2) of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015; Participation in Terrorism Meeting to Support a Proscribed Entity, Attempt to finance an Act of Terrorism, Preparation to Comit an Act of Terrorism under Sections 12(c), 18, 21, 29 & 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, amongst others.

The Defendant pleaded not guilty to all the nine counts and trial was adjourned to July 4, 2024.

During trial, one of the prosecution’s witnesses, Raulat Ibrahim told the court that Eze-Ndigbo was not a recognised Chieftaincy title in Lagos State.

The witness who is a civil servant at the Ministry of Local Governments, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Developments, narrated to the court the processes involved in confirming a chieftaincy title in Lagos State.

The witness said that the procedure was governed by the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, 2015.

She noted that there was no Oba or any recognised chief in Ajao Estate.

The witness explained that for the Obas, the local government will forward the requirement letter to the ministry and then they will send it to Ministry of Justice, where it will be forward to the Lagos state standing tribunal enquiry for chieftaincy matters.

She stated that the standing tribunal publishes the name in the national newspaper, and interested parties will join the tribunal.

“After it has been resolved, the file will be sent back to our ministry for further processing. Then we start all over again to the ministry of justice to the governor’s office etc. Then the ministry will now issue a letter of approval. On the installation day, a certificate of issue will be sent by the Governor for approval, then the ministry will install the Oba.

“The letter of approval will be signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry. There is no installation for Chief. It’s the letter that shows his recognition as a chief in Lagos State,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim also told the court that the defendant did not parade himself as Elegushi of Ikate, Baale of Addo nor any of the recognised chiefs.

The Acting Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State Thursday vowed to thoroughly investigate alleged cases of anti-party activities involving its members in the state.

The committee announced plans to establish a disciplinary panel in the coming days, emphasising that it will not hesitate to recommend sanctions, including suspensions or expulsion from the party, regardless of an individual’s status or influence.

The focus will include actions taken by members during the 2023 general elections.

This position was revealed during a press briefing attended by acting executives from both state and local government levels.

Acting State Chairman, Robinson Nname-Ewor, said, “Under our leadership, we shall immediately commence steps toward healing and rebuilding our once-great Party, which was battered, with hope lost across the State, 23 Local Government Areas, and 319 electoral wards. We shall make the PDP Rivers State Chapter great again.

He said, “To achieve this, we shall consult all critical stakeholders of the Party, unite members, and work with them to restore the already lost hope. We shall embark on a sensitization tour across the 23 LGAs and initiate a membership drive to boost the Party’s population for future elections.

“In the coming days, we shall also set up a “Disciplinary Committee” to address issues of anti-party activities, particularly during the 2023 General Elections and beyond, and any other activities by members that could bring the Party into disrepute.

“Those found wanting shall be appropriately disciplined, including but not limited to suspension, dismissal, and sanctions recognized by the Party. ”

The Acting Executive outlined specific conditions for the continued existence of the PDP in Rivers State.

One of the key conditions is that the PDP’s National Leadership must fully reinstate the party’s leadership in the state under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Additionally, the Acting Executive, led by Robinson Nname-Ewor, must be recognised as the legitimate leadership of the party following the sack of the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executive by a State High Court.

“Recall that a Rivers State High Court, on January 13, 2025, sacked the Chukwuemeka Aaron-led purported State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State Chapter, alongside the Ward and Local Government Executive Committees of the Party”

“The Congresses that produced Aaron Chukwuemeka were in contravention of a High Court order directing that no Congresses be held in the state until the substantive issues are resolved”

“Following this, the original State Executive Committee of the Party, whose tenure ended in June/July 2024, has, in a well-publicized press conference held on January 15, 2025, assumed leadership of the Party in an acting capacity”

“The State Executive Committee is now being led by me, High Chief Nname Robinson Ewor, as Acting Chairman, and Field Nkor as Acting Secretary, alongside other members.

“We are pleased to inform you that a copy of the judgment has been duly transmitted to the Party’s National Secretariat, and our assumption of office as Acting State and Local Government Executives has been communicated while we await further developments.”

The Acting Executive had initially planned to take over the PDP State Secretariat at 23 Aba Road on Thursday.

However, during a media briefing, the Acting Chairman announced that the plan had been suspended to prevent any potential crisis in the state.

He said, “In a very recent development, security agencies, aware of our position to reclaim the Party Secretariat, have advised that we halt the process to maintain peace. They are currently at the Party Secretariat to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

“Gentlemen of the press, it is on this note, and in line with the peaceful disposition of the Leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Sir Dr. Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, to issues of this nature, which has earned him several accolades, that we have resolved to allow good reasoning to prevail and call off the planned takeover of the PDP State Secretariat today.

“We also appeal to our teeming supporters and party faithful to remain calm as we take necessary steps to assume control of our Party Secretariat.”

Source: Channels TV

The Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has made history by producing 18 all-female first-class graduates for the 2023/2024 academic session.

This remarkable feat was unveiled during the award of first-degree honours at the university’s 55th convocation ceremony, which commenced on Tuesday.

The convocation, spanning three days, will see 16,590 students conferred with degrees and diplomas. Of this number, 9,865 will receive first degrees and diplomas, while 6,659 will be awarded postgraduate degrees. Additionally, 66 students will graduate from the UNILAG Business School (ULBS).

The exceptional Mass Communication graduates include Feranmi Abiola, Ahuruele Akani, Oyindamola Arikawe, Ifedayo Ayilaran, Demiladeogo Bankole, Olaide Bankole, Eniola Daramola, Faith Enang, Temiloluwa Igbinlade, Joy Imanah, Ifeoma Iwelunmor and Chelsea Jegede.

Others are Opeyemi Kareem, Eunice Obidi, Frances Odogu, Mofesola Olanrewaju, Funmilola Onabanjo and Peace Onuoha.

The university commended the graduates for their diligence and resilience in achieving academic excellence.

Speaking at the ceremony, UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, celebrated the university’s groundbreaking achievements in innovation, infrastructure, and academic excellence.

She highlighted the MED-AFRICA GMP Laboratory, the first of its kind in West Africa, located in the Faculty of Pharmacy. “The $450,000 state-of-the-art facility facilitates groundbreaking research on HIV prevention,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor also mentioned the inauguration of the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS), funded by the World Bank, and the launch of the Green Air Initiative, which introduced eight electric buses for campus transportation.

In addition, she acknowledged contributions to the university’s development, including Tunde Fanimokun’s N14.5 billion pledge for hostels and research centres, and support from the Lagos State Government for various projects.