Chief Emefo Etudo, the lead counsel to Chief Fredrick Nwajagu, who was recently cleared of terrorism allegations, by a Lagos High Court, has disowned a lawyer, Fabian Onwughalu, who allegedly claimed to be the counsel to the freed community leader.
Chief Nwajagu, who is the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos State, was charged before Justice Y. A. Adesanya on terrorism and other charges sometimes in 2023.
Chief Nwajagu was however, cleared, acquitted and discharged of the terrorism charges, by the judge on January 15, 2025.
During the Chief’s trial, the counsel on record were Chief Etudo and Mrs. Charity Etudo, while the prosecutor was Dr. Jide Martins.
However, upon the release of the defendant, Fabian Onwughalu, a lawyer, while speaking to journalists, allegedly claimed to be lawyer to the defendant.
He was also alleged to have claimed to appeal the judgment.
In a swift reaction, Chief Etudo said himself and his client, Chief Nwajagu were embarrassed by the lawyer’s claim, hence the disclaimer.
Chief 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 Fabian Onwughalu alleging a purported plan of the defendant to appeal the judgement of the court dated January 15, 2025.
“On my behalf and on the behalf of the defendant, Chief Fredrick Nwajagu, I disclaim the said statement of 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 and therefore does not understand the judgment in the first place.
“I, Chief 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 Lagos State and the entire public by the said statement of Onwughalu on January 16, 25. We urge the public to discountenance the said statement in its entirety.” In this article: