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.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a public alert following an accident involving a diesel-laden tanker along the Ugwu-Onyema axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, which resulted in a fuel spill and subsequent fire outbreak.

The Enugu State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, made the disclosure on Thursday in Enugu while addressing journalists.

According to Agbakoba, the incident occurred at approximately 6:16 pm on Thursday, prompting immediate response and diversion of traffic in the area.

He explained that FRSC personnel swiftly moved to the scene and redirected vehicles away from the danger zone.

“Motorists and pedestrians are advised and directed to follow the Inside Ngwo Community Road, popularly known as ‘Ngwo Snake Road’, while going into and outside Enugu metropolis for now,” he stated.

Agbakoba confirmed that the crash involved only the tanker and that no other vehicle was affected.

“There is no life lost in the incident for now,” he said.

He also noted that firefighting teams are currently at the site, working to contain the blaze.

“The Federal and State Fire Services are currently on ground battling the fire and ensuring it doesn’t escalate,” Agbakoba added.

Providing further details, the sector commander said:

“At about 18:16 pm, today, Sept. 25, 2025, the FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received a crash alert along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway by Ugwu-Onyeama.
Rescue teams from the State Sector and the FRSC 9th Mile Unit Commands have been activated to the crash scene.
More details of the report will be forwarded soon.”

Motorists are advised to exercise caution while using alternative routes, and the FRSC has assured the public of continuous updates as the situation develops.

A two-storey building under construction collapsed early Thursday morning in the Alimosho area of Lagos State, trapping several workers beneath the debris.

The incident occurred at Modupeola Street, near Mangoro Bus Stop, at around 4am, prompting a swift response from emergency services and concerned residents, who worked together to search for survivors.

After hours of rescue efforts, five adult male construction workers were pulled from the rubble alive and rushed to a nearby private hospital for emergency treatment.

One of the victims, aged 44, sustained multiple fractures and was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for specialized care.

According to Margaret Adeseye, Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the building was originally a bungalow but was being converted into a two-storey structure, all while tenants reportedly continued to occupy the ground floor.

She noted that the collapse affected the rear section of the building and confirmed that no fatalities had been recorded.

“The incident involved a partial collapse at the back of the building. Five adult male construction workers were rescued with varying degrees of injuries and taken to hospital,” Adeseye said.

Her team reportedly received a distress call at 5:39 am and arrived on the scene by 6:24 am, with firefighters from both Ikeja and Agege stations leading the rescue operation.

The Lagos State Government has since launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

Officials assured that appropriate action will be taken to prevent similar incidents, especially in buildings undergoing unapproved structural modifications.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has called for the arming of FRSC operatives, saying it may be necessary to effectively enforce traffic laws on Nigerian highways.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Thursday, Mohammed highlighted the growing challenges faced by personnel, especially when dealing with large commercial vehicles like trailers and tankers.

He described a common but dangerous scenario: “How do you stop a trailer or a tanker on the road? It’s very difficult. A truck carrying up to 100 passengers, along with animals and you only have four patrol officers, how do you stop that?”

The FRSC chief argued that enforcement is weakened without sufficient authority. “If you don’t have the power to enforce anything, there is no way you can achieve that enforcement,” he emphasized, suggesting that the ability to carry arms would provide the needed “power of cohesion.”

Addressing long-standing allegations of bribery and corruption within the agency, Mohammed acknowledged the problem but stressed that the FRSC has taken a tougher stance than many other government bodies.

“We have more records of termination and dismissal of our personnel because of bribes and corruption,” he said.

He added that the Corps follows strict procedures to deal with misconduct.

Reacting to complaints about driver’s licence charges, the Corps Marshal clarified that the official fees have remained unchanged.

“₦15,000 for a three-year licence and ₦21,000 for a five-year licence.”

He acknowledged, however, that many Nigerians face difficulties in the application and renewal process.

“We apologise for the inconvenience. In the first and second week of October, Nigerians will begin to see an improved driver’s licence system and better service delivery,” he promised.

What began as a night of celebration at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), ended in bloodshed and sorrow, as two young men now stand accused of conspiring to take the life of another in a senseless act of violence.

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed that Ezema Onyedikachi (27) and Ugwu Chigozie Anthony (21) were arraigned earlier this week and have been remanded in correctional custody following their alleged involvement in the murder of 29-year-old Nweze Chiebonam, during the early hours of September 13th.

The incident occurred after a bonfire night organized by the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies in the Faculty of Arts, UNN.

The event, held on Thursday, September 12th, was well-attended by students and guests, including the suspects and the deceased.

According to police reports, the tragedy unfolded around 3am shortly after the event concluded.

As attendees began dispersing, a minor car accident involving Ugwu Anthony’s vehicle and that of the deceased sparked a confrontation.

Witnesses say the altercation was heated but appeared to have been resolved at the scene, or so it seemed.

What followed has left a community in shock.

In a statement released by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, investigations revealed that the suspects left the scene after the initial altercation, only to return later with a weapon, a dagger allegedly used in the fatal attack.

The police say that upon their return, Ezema Onyedikachi took the dagger from Ugwu Anthony during the confrontation and stabbed Nweze Chiebonam fatally in the chest.

Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Chiebonam was declared dead by the attending doctor. The dagger used in the crime has since been recovered as evidence.

The suspects have been arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, and a judge has ordered that they be remanded in correctional custody pending further proceedings.

The arraignment marks the beginning of what is expected to be a closely watched legal case, not only for the university community but for the broader Enugu State, where youth violence remains a pressing concern.

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the killing in strong terms, describing the incident as both “unfortunate and avoidable.”

In his statement, CP Giwa expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased and used the moment to urge the public, especially the youth, to eschew violence and embrace peaceful conflict resolution.

“One life lost to violence is one too many,” said CP Giwa.

“We must learn to walk away, to de-escalate and to resolve disagreements with dialogue, not daggers.”