The Nigeria Police in Owerri have formally charged A former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch Chinedu Agu, 38, for allegedly posting messages on Facebook aimed at inciting public unrest and defaming the Imo State government and the Nigeria Police Force.
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According to court documents from the Magistrate’s Court of Imo State, Owerri Magisterial District, Agu faces four counts under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count I alleges that on August 30 and 31, 2025, Agu posted messages claiming “the courts are closed and justice has been kidnapped not by bandits in the bush, but by bandits in government” and “this is not government, this is tyranny trapped in sinking bureaucracy,” which he knew to be false but intended to incite public unrest against Governor Hope Uzodinma and his cabinet.
Count II accuses Agu of posting messages such as “until the leadership charges how it sees governance, nothing will change in this abandoned property called Imo State” and “Enugu is working, Imo is rotting,” with intent to provoke citizens to revolt against the state government.
Count III relates to a Facebook post in which Agu described the Tiger Base Unit of the Nigeria Police Force as “specialists in unchecked, barbaric, brutish, savagery and callous human rights abuse,” allegedly aimed at inciting public anger against the police.
Count IV charges Agu with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace by publishing defamatory material against the Imo State government and the Nigeria Police Force.
The case was filed by F.O. Itua (Esq.), Officer-in-Charge of the Legal/Prosecution Unit, Police Headquarters, Owerri. Arraignment is ongoing, with the defendant yet to enter a plea.
The police have maintained that the charges reflect Agu’s alleged misuse of social media to spread false information and disrupt public order in the state.
TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that Agu, who has long been a vocal advocate for justice and accountability, recently condemned the planned welcome dinner hosted by the Imo State Government for lawyers attending the NBA Annual General Conference in Enugu, describing it as “a feast while the house of justice burns.” He warned that it was insensitive for the state to invite lawyers to a celebration while the office of the Attorney-General remains vacant, there is no Acting Chief Judge, and the Judicial Service Commission is improperly constituted. Agu urged the government to prioritize urgent judicial appointments and reforms, including swearing in an Acting Chief Judge and appointing a substantive Attorney-General, rather than focusing on ceremonial events.
The police had invited Mr Agu on 9 September over the alleged defamation. Agu posted the invitation letter on his Facebook page. In the letter, addressed to him, the X-Squad Unit of the police stated that he was invited over an alleged criminal defamation of character and conduct likely to cause breach of peace, without disclosing the specific target of the alleged defamation.
Reacting to the police letter, Agu said the invitation stemmed from a petition allegedly lodged by the Imo State Ministry of Information against him. He explained that his consistent calls for the governor to appoint the most qualified person as acting chief judge of the state, as well as other constructive criticisms, were the main reasons for the clampdown by the Imo State Government. The lawyer claimed the government was “haunting” him for speaking out on “vital issues” in the state.
The Owerri branch of the NBA and the rights group, Rule of Law and Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), faulted the police’s invitation, adding that Mr Agu’s only “offence” appears to be his consistent, lawful, and constructive criticism of governance in Imo State.
The Commissioner for Information in Imo, Declan Emelumba, denied filing the petition with the police against Mr Agu.
TheNigeriaLawyer also gathered that Mr Agu was arrested and detained on Tuesday evening, 23 September, after meeting with the police for the second time. He had been released on bail following the first police invitation on 17 September.
The police spokesperson in Imo, Henry Okoye, said on Wednesday morning that Mr Agu had been arraigned in court before a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri, accused of cyberstalking, defamation of character, inciting civil disturbances, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. Okoye stated that the arraignment was carried out in accordance with the rule of law and with due respect for Agu’s fundamental human rights.
In Nigeria, defamation remains both a civil and criminal offence. Sections 373–375 of the Criminal Code and Sections 391–395 of the Penal Code provide that individuals found guilty of criminal defamation can face imprisonment, fines, or both.
TheNigeriaLawyer also recalls that in November 2024, the police arrested a former commissioner for foreign affairs in the state, Fabian Ihekweme, for his frequent criticism of Governor Uzodinma’s administration. Mr Ihekweme was later released in January.
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