The Imo State Police Command and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have indicated that lawyer Chinedu Agu will remain in custody over the weekend, noting that the Federal High Court’s bail order granted earlier was directed at the police and not the custodial authority. As a result, Agu will stay in detention while his legal team prepares a fresh application, which the Federal High Court has instructed to be filed and heard urgently next week.

Agu, the former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, was arraigned more than four days ago at a Magistrate’s Court on charges of criminal defamation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The allegations arose from Facebook posts in which he criticized the Imo State government under Governor Hope Uzodinma as “tyranny trapped in sinking bureaucracy,” drew unfavorable comparisons between Imo and Enugu States, and accused the police “Tiger Base Unit” of “unchecked, barbaric, brutish, savagery, and callous human rights abuse.”

During the arraignment before Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze, who also serves as Deputy Chief Registrar of the Imo State High Court, Agu pleaded not guilty. He was represented by a formidable legal team of over 30 lawyers led by former Imo State Attorney-General Miletus Onukoagu Nlemadim. The police prosecution, led by Mr. F. O. Itua, immediately sought his remand, which the magistrate granted, citing lack of jurisdiction over the charges, and adjourned the case to October 29.

Following the magistrate’s decision, Agu’s lawyers filed an urgent bail application at the Federal High Court, which was approved to allow his temporary release. However, because the order was not directed at the custodial authority, it could not be executed immediately. The Federal High Court has now instructed that a fresh application be filed specifically covering the corrections authority, with the hearing scheduled for next week.

Meanwhile lawyers have described Agu’s detention as politically motivated, aimed at intimidating government critics. The NBA described the police’s actions as an “abuse of power,” while the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) emphasized that defamation, even if proven, is a civil matter and should not warrant criminal prosecution.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel _______________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials

“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.

Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation

______________________________________________________________________ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. Bonus: Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.

How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com

Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626

______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209. ______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com