The Chief Magistrate in Owerri, Imo State, Obinna Njemanze, has ordered the release of social commentator and critic of the Imo State government, Chinedu Agu, after granting him bail on an ex-parte application.
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Agu, who had been in detention since September 23, 2025, was freed on Wednesday following the order issued by the Magistrate Court. His release came after weeks of mounting public and legal pressure from civil society groups, lawyers, and human rights advocates.
Agu’s detention stemmed from a series of Facebook posts in which he described Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration as a “tyranny trapped in sinking bureaucracy,” compared Imo unfavorably to Enugu, and accused the police “Tiger Base Unit” of “unchecked, barbaric, brutish, savagery and callous human rights abuse.” Authorities claimed the posts violated provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
He was initially arraigned before Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze, who also serves as Deputy Chief Registrar of the Imo State High Court. The prosecution, led by F. O. Itua of the Imo State Police Command, charged Agu with criminal defamation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. Although he pleaded not guilty, the magistrate ordered his remand, citing lack of jurisdiction over cybercrime allegations, and adjourned the case to October 29.
Agu’s legal team, comprising over 30 lawyers including former Imo State Attorney-General Miletus Onukoagu Nlemadim and Stanley Imo, SAN, had earlier secured a temporary bail order from the Federal High Court on September 25. However, correctional officials initially refused to comply, insisting the order applied only to the police.
The prolonged detention sparked outrage across the legal community, with senior lawyers condemning what they described as a misuse of judicial process to silence dissent.
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