The continued detention of lawyer and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Chinedu Agu, has been extended as a result of the Independence Day public holiday, which has stalled court proceedings.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
Agu, who is currently being held at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) facility in Owerri, was expected to benefit from a fresh bail application before the Federal High Court. However, with courts observing the national holiday, the matter will not be heard until Thursday, October 2, 2025.
The development follows last week’s ruling by the Federal High Court which granted Agu bail but directed the order only to the police. Since the order did not extend to the custodial authority, Agu remained in detention. The court subsequently instructed his legal team to file a new application specifically covering the NCoS, which is now pending.
Agu was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze who also serves as Deputy Chief Registrar of the Imo State High Court on charges of criminal defamation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The charges stem from Facebook posts in which he criticized the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma as “tyranny trapped in sinking bureaucracy,” compared Imo State unfavorably with Enugu State, and accused the police “Tiger Base Unit” of “unchecked, barbaric, brutish, savagery, and callous human rights abuse.”
Despite entering a not-guilty plea and being defended by over 30 lawyers led by former Imo Attorney-General Miletus Onukoagu Nlemadim, Magistrate Njemanze remanded Agu, citing lack of jurisdiction, and adjourned the matter to October 29.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over the role of Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze in the case. Critics allege that the magistrate, who also serves as Deputy Chief Registrar of the Imo State High Court, is being used by political interests to achieve predetermined outcomes against Agu.
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi,📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon:https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com
______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
