The Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre (RULAAC) has appealed to apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo to prevail on the Lagos government to drop all charges against Frederick Nwajagu.
Nwajagu had threatened to invite IPOB to defend Igbos in Lagos following concerted threats from prominent individuals who were displeased by their political position in the 2023 election.
Recall that Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo told Igbos to not vote in the election. He said: “We have begged them. If they don’t want to vote for us, it is not a fight. Tell them, Mama Chukwudi, if you don’t want to vote for us, sit down at home. Sit down at home.”
Bayo Onanuga, the spokesman of President Bola Tinubu issued a direct threat.“Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics,” Onanuga said, tweeting a photo of Peter Obi who backed Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in the Lagos governorship election. “Let there be no repeat in 2027.”
There were also reported violent attacks by thugs against Igbos in various parts of Lagos.
RULAAC, in a letter to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged the apex Igbo group to intervene on behalf of Nwajagu because his comment on IPOB was a reaction to the threats faced by Igbos in Lagos at the time.
The letter reads: “I hereby call upon Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the socio-cultural and political organization dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of the Igbo people in Nigeria, to take immediate action regarding the continued unjust detention of Frederick Nwajagu. Mr. Nwajagu has now spent nearly two years in prison following his arrest in April 2023 for threatening to invite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect Igbo businesses and properties amidst growing threats and attacks from certain ethnic bigots in Lagos.
“It is deeply concerning that those who made the initial threats which Mr. Nwajagu responded to have not faced legal consequences, while he has been left to languish in prison. This situation highlights what appears to be a discriminatory application of the law driven by ethnic bias.
“I urge Ohanaeze Ndigbo to intervene on behalf of Mr. Nwajagu, advocating for the Lagos State Government to drop all charges against him. It is imperative that we stand for justice and equality for all citizens, regardless of their ethnic background.
“I believe that the voice of Ohanaeze can be a powerful instrument in ensuring fairness and representation for all members of the Igbo community.”
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