An Owerri Chief Magistrate, Obinna Njemanze, on Thursday ordered the remand of lawyer Chinedu Agu at the Owerri Correctional Centre following his arraignment on charges of cyberstalking, criminal defamation and incitement.
The case stems from multiple opinion articles and social media posts allegedly critical of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Nigeria Police Force.
Although Agu pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge, Magistrate Njemanze, who also serves as Deputy Chief Registrar of the Imo State Judiciary, stated that he lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.
He subsequently remanded Agu in custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The case was adjourned to October 29, 2025, by which time the DPP is expected to assign the matter to a competent court.
Agu’s bail application, led by former Imo State Attorney-General Barr. Milletus Nlemadim, was denied.
The court session drew high-profile legal presence, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge and Eastern Bar Forum Chair, Damian Nosike.
The charges relate to social media comments posted on August 30, 2025, in which Agu allegedly described the Imo State government as “bandits in government” and Imo State as “tyranny trapped in sinking bureaucracy.”
He was also accused of writing:
“Until the leadership changes how it sees governance, nothing will change in this abandoned property called ‘Imo State’,”
and
“Enugu is working, Imo is rotting.”
Prosecutors claim these statements were false, inflammatory and intended to incite unrest.
Another count alleges that Agu labelled the Police’s Tiger Base unit as
“specialist in the act of unchecked, barbaric, brutish, savagery and callous human right abuse… now assumed the roles of the accuser, judge and executioner.”
The prosecution maintains that these comments could provoke public hostility and disturb public peace.
These offences are said to violate provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, particularly Section 24(1)(b), among others.
Agu was arrested earlier in the week after responding to a police invitation, following a petition by the Imo Democratic Alliance, signed by Umukoro Marvis Udochukwu.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemned the charges, calling them part of a growing pattern of criminalising dissent and silencing critics.
In a statement signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association emphasized that public criticism of government institutions or policies is protected under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The NBA stressed that Agu’s arrest and prosecution undermine democratic principles and amount to political persecution.
The association also warned the Nigeria Police Force against being used as a tool for political intimidation and pledged to defend Agu’s rights, monitor the case closely, and challenge any attempt to suppress free speech.
Magistrate Njemanze reaffirmed that his court lacked jurisdiction to handle the matter and refused to grant bail.
Agu remains in detention at the Owerri Correctional Centre, while his legal team plans to seek bail at the Federal High Court.
The NBA has vowed to provide ongoing support throughout the legal process.
