Chief Emefo Etudo, the lead counsel to Chief Fredrick Nwajagu, who was cleared of terrorism allegations by a Lagos High Court, has disclaimed a lawyer, Fabian Onwughalu, who allegedly claimed to be the counsel to the freed community leader.
Nwajagu, who claimed to be Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos State, was charged with terrorism in 2023 but was acquitted and discharged by Justice Y. A. Adesanya on January 15.
During the trial, the counsel on record were Chief Etudo and Mrs. Charity Etudo, while the prosecutor was Dr. Jude Martin’s
Onwughalu was alleged to have claimed to be the lawyer of the defendant and that he would appeal the judgment.
However, Etudo said he had yet to study the judgment and his client Nwajagu did not authorise any appeal.
“We urge the public to discountenance the said statement in its entirety,” he said.
Etudo’s statement reads: “The attention of the Lead Counsel on Record for the defendant, in the case of The State Of Lagos vs Fredrick Nwajagu (Charge No. LD/21505C/2023) has been drawn to the statement of Barrister Fabian Onwughalu alleging a purported plan of the defendant to appeal the judgement of the court dated 15th January 2025.
“On my behalf and on behalf of the defendant, Chief Fredrick Nwajagu, I disclaim the said statement of Barrister Fabian Onwughalu, as the defendant did not authorise him to make the statement.
“He was not in court or part of the defence when that judgment was made on 15/1/25 and therefore does not understand the judgment in the first place.
“I, Chief Emefo Emefo, the lead counsel for the defendant is yet to study the judgment which has just been received and the defendant himself will make a statement in relation thereafter.
“We regret any damage caused to Lagos State and the entire public by the said statement of Barrister Fabian Onwughalu on 16/01/25. We urge the public to discountenance the said statement in its entirety.”
