KINGSLEY EBERE
Ndigbo in Lagos State have been reacting over the judgment of the State High Court, which convicted and sentenced the embattled Ezendigbo of Ajao Estate, Eze Frederick Nwajagu to 12 months imprisonment for parading self as a a class Chief in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that though Eze Nwajagu has regained freedom after two years of incarceration in Ikoyi prison over terrorism charge and parading self as Chief, Ndigbo are not happy with the judgment over the conviction for parading self as Chief in Lagos State.
Some of them have been reacting over the judgment, which may have paved way for the Igbo leaders a.k.a Ezendigbo in Lagos State to be arrested and jailed based on the premise, which the trial judge, Justice Yetunde Akisanaya, relied upon to convict and jail Eze Nwajagu.
The trial judge, Justice Akinsanya, convicted and sentenced Nwajagu to 12 months imprisonment for the offence of parading himself as a certified Chief in Lagos State contrary to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
One of leading defence Counsels to Eze Nwajagu, Barrister Fabian Onwughalu described the judgement as painful, but victory for Ndigbo all over the world especially in Lagos State for being persecuted and dehumanized just because of their tribal leaning.
However, Barr. Onwughalu stated that the judgment will be appealed to ask the higher Court to set it aside due to the implications on Eze Nwajagu, who will bear the toga of ex-convict and the judgement may be applied to other Igbo leaders in Lagos State.
“We shall strive to set aside the conviction on parading himself as a Chief in Lagos State on appeal as the prosecution did not prove the offence to warrant the conviction.”
“Moreover, the Ezeigbo institution is not recognised by the law of Lagos State, and so has nothing to do with the Oba and Chiefs Law. Also the conviction offends the fundamental rights of Freedom of Association of Ndigbo in Lagos State.”
Chief Donatus Okoye congratulated the defence Counsels for their efforts to ensure that Eze Nwajagu was not convicted for terrorism, which would mean him spending several years in prison custody or life imprisonment under the Criminal Laws of the State.
However, he noted that the conviction portrayed the danger ahead on the Igbo traditional institution in Lagos State. He noted that Ndigbo by their nature form communities in diaspora and appoint their leaders, which they call Chiefs and Ezendigbo.
Chief Okoye stated that if Eze Nwajagu was convicted for parading self as Chief, there is the likelihood that the same law will be applied to other Igbo leaders a.k.a Ezendigbo and they will be arrested and sent to prison.
Chief Bernard Chukwu spoke in the same vein and described the judgment as shocking as it may be applied to jail Igbo leaders in Lagos State. He noted that the Igbo appoint their leaders on their own and does not see the need to consult and get approval from the Government before they appoint their leaders. He said he was expecting that the judgment should be appealed and vacated in order to protect Igbo traditional institution.
