Eze Ndigbo Title Not Recognised By Lagos Laws – Witness

An official of the Lagos State government, Mrs. Raulat Ibrahim, yesterday told Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the state High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos that the Eze-Ndigbo Chieftaincy title is an illegal title in Lagos State.

Mrs. Ibrahim, who testified as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the self-acclaimed Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Frederick Nwajagu over an allegation of terrorism, also told the court that there is no Oba or recognised chief in Ajao Estate.

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 of attempting to commit acts of terrorism.

The defendant was also accused of attempting to carry out acts of terrorism under Section 403(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015; participation in a terrorism meeting to support a criminal 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.

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The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, but his attempt to secure a bail was rejected by the court on the grounds of the seriousness of the alleged offence and the severity of its punishment.

While being led in evidence by the director of public prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins (SAN), Mrs Ibrahim explained the process of becoming a titled Oba or chief in Lagos.

The witness said her schedule of duties includes upgrading of Baale/chiefs or Oba either from part 3 to part 2- creation of stool, monthly meetings with the Obas and the Lagos State Council of Chiefs and Obas.

She also said that she prepares the allowance of Obas, conflict resolutions and lastly, stakeholders meetings.

Mrs. Ibrahim testified that, “The processing for stool designation is from the local government. Relevant documents will be forwarded, such as the minutes of the ruling house and minutes to the chief selector of the chieftaincy committee in the local government.