Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), an international organization dedicated to promoting access to justice, has issued a strong condemnation of the Nigerian authorities’ handling of the case against prominent lawyer Chinedu Agu, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
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Agu, a legal practitioner and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, has been held at the Owerri Custodial Centre since September 23, 2025. He faces charges of criminal defamation and incitement, allegedly arising from Facebook posts criticizing the Imo State Government. ASF France described his continued detention as a “grave assault” on freedom of expression and digital rights in Nigeria.
In a press release dated October 16, 2025, ASF France revealed that Agu’s bail application was denied by the Federal High Court on the same day, despite what it described as clear violations of his constitutional rights. The organization, through its e-RIGHTS Project, is providing pro bono legal representation to challenge the charges.
“We strongly condemn the use of allegations such as ‘criminal defamation’ and ‘incitement’ as tools to silence critical voices and stifle legitimate public discourse,” said Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director of ASF France in Nigeria, during a closed-door media briefing. “Mr. Agu’s consistent calls for accountability from the Imo State Government are a protected exercise of his fundamental right to free speech under Section 39 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.”
Uzoma-Iwuchukwu pointed to procedural irregularities, including the prosecution’s attempts to delay the bail hearing, as evidence of a “systematic effort to penalize and intimidate” citizens for voicing dissent online.
ASF France stressed that criticism of government officials is essential to democracy and protected not only by Nigeria’s Constitution but also by international human rights treaties ratified by the country. The organization called on the Imo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant authorities to respect the rule of law and end the persecution of individuals exercising their digital rights.
The e-RIGHTS Project, which is leading Agu’s defense, reaffirmed its commitment to exhaust all legal avenues to secure justice. “We will continue to provide legal assistance and ensure that Mr. Agu’s rights — and the rights of all citizens to freedom of expression — are upheld,” ASF France stated.
Funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and Spaces for Change (S4C), the e-RIGHTS Project focuses on advancing digital rights and online freedom of expression across Nigeria. ASF France said Agu’s case exemplifies the growing threats faced by activists and journalists in the digital space.
2. Chinedu Agu_Press ReleaseSupporters of Agu argue that the charges reflect government overreach, particularly in light of Nigeria’s history of using cybercrime and defamation laws to target critics. As of October 17, 2025, there have been no further updates on Agu’s status, prompting ASF France to call for immediate action to prevent further erosion of civil liberties.
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