Igbo Tackle Eze Nwajiagu Over Claim Of Being Paramount Eze In Lagos

KINGSLEY EBERE

Igbo leaders in Lagos State have flayed the embattled Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Eze Fred Nwajiagu, over his alleged claim that all Eze Ndigbo in Lagos are under his control.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the controversy followed Nwajiagu’s alleged acquisition of a customized plate number, HIM 001, on his Range Rover SUV, which he interprets as His Imperial Majesty 001, to portray himself as the paramount ruler of Ndigbo in Lagos.

Eze Nwajiagu, who was recently convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Lagos High Court for unlawfully parading himself as a titled chief contrary to Lagos Obas and Chiefs Law, has since appealed the judgment.

However, sources in the Igbo community said after fixing the plate number, Nwajiagu allegedly started laying claims to superiority over all Eze Ndigbo in the state.

The development, it was gathered, angered many Eze Ndigbo and stakeholders who described his claim as false, misleading and an insult to the Igbo traditional institution.

Some Eze Ndigbo who spoke with P.M.EXPRESS on condition of anonymity, said there is no position known as Paramount Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, stressing that every Eze Ndigbo operates independently within his domain.

They explained that the title Eze Ndigbo in Lagos is a cultural title for coordinating Ndigbo in a community and not a traditional stool to lord over other Ezes.

One of the Eze Ndigbo in Lagos Mainland said: “No one person can claim that all Eze Ndigbo in Lagos are under him. We are all independent. Lagos State Government does not recognize a paramount Eze Ndigbo. Each Eze operates in his own community.”

Another Igbo leader in Ojo LGA described the HIM 001 plate number as provocative and capable of causing disunity.

“How can one person put HIM 001 and claim he is His Imperial Majesty over all Ndigbo in Lagos? That is an affront. Ndigbo do not have an Emperor. We have Eze in different localities and we respect each other,” he said.

The leaders also frowned at his previous controversial statements that led to his arrest in 2023, trial, conviction and one-year sentence, which they said embarrassed Ndigbo in Lagos.

They called on the Lagos State Government and security agencies to call Nwajiagu to order and prevent him from parading himself as overall Eze Ndigbo in Lagos.

They urged Igbo residents to disregard his claim, describing it as personal ambition not supported by Ndigbo.

Meanwhile, Eze Nwajiagu, who was freed after spending over two years in custody as awaiting trial inmate, is currently pursuing his appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The Igbo community said they await the outcome of the appeal but insisted that irrespective of the appeal, he has no right to claim leadership over all Eze Ndigbo in Lagos State.