The Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, has adjourned to Thursday, October 9, the hearing of a fresh bail application for lawyer and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Chinedu Agu, who has been detained since September 23 on charges widely described as politically motivated under the Cybercrime Act. Agu’s legal team is being led by Leslie Njemanze, SAN.
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Agu, currently held at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) facility in Owerri, was expected to benefit from a new bail application. However, proceedings were stalled due to the Independence Day public holiday. The court had previously granted Agu bail, but the order only applied to the police and did not cover the custodial authority, leaving him in detention. The Federal High Court subsequently instructed Agu’s lawyers to file a fresh application addressing the NCoS.
He was originally 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 arose from Facebook posts in which Agu criticized the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma, comparing Imo unfavorably with Enugu State and accusing the police “Tiger Base Unit” of human rights abuses.
Despite entering a not-guilty plea, Agu was remanded by Magistrate Njemanze, who cited lack of jurisdiction and adjourned the matter to October 29. Agu’s defense team, comprising over 30 lawyers led by former Imo Attorney-General Miletus Onukoagu Nlemadim, continues to challenge his detention.
The case has also drawn scrutiny over Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze’s role, with critics alleging that his dual position as Deputy Chief Registrar may be influencing the proceedings in a manner that serves political interests.
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