The embattled Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Fredrick Nwajagu, has filed an appeal against his conviction for making inciting statements and has also launched a legal challenge against the Lagos State chieftaincy law.
Nwajagu, who was convicted last year for allegedly making inflammatory remarks about the security of Igbo residents in Lagos, claims that his prosecution was politically motivated.
His lawyers have filed an appeal seeking to overturn his conviction, arguing that his statements were taken out of context and that his trial did not follow due process.
In addition to the appeal, Nwajagu is challenging the Lagos State Chieftaincy Law, which he claims discriminates against non-Yoruba traditional leaders. According to his legal team, the law unfairly restricts non-indigenous groups from having full chieftaincy rights, despite their contributions to the state’s economic and social development.
The Lagos State government has dismissed Nwajagu’s claims, insisting that traditional leadership positions must be in line with local customs and that his case was purely legal, not political.
The case is expected to spark further debate on ethnic relations and governance in Lagos, with many Igbo leaders closely monitoring the outcome.