The planned arraignment of Owerri-based lawyer and activist, Chinedu Agu, on allegations of cyberstalking Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was stalled on Wednesday due to the absence of a chief magistrate at the Magistrate’s Court in Owerri.
Agu, a prominent critic of Uzodimma’s administration, was arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s X-Squad Unit following a petition allegedly filed by a little-known group, the Imo Democratic Alliance. The petition accused Agu of publishing “inciting and defamatory” articles against the governor.
Among Agu’s most widely circulated writings are “Tears from Enugu: A Lawyer’s Heartbreaking Diary from a State that Works to a State in Ruins” and “Imo State – Where Justice Is on Vacation During Court Vacation.” The articles drew sharp responses from the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, who dismissed them as “Satanic verses.”
Imo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the charges against Agu, saying they include cyberstalking, defamation of character, incitement of civil disturbance, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“The arraignment was carried out in accordance with the rule of law and with due respect for his fundamental human rights,” Okoye told journalists in Owerri.
However, proceedings could not be held as magistrates were reportedly attending an official function. After hours of waiting, lawyers were informed that no chief magistrate was available, forcing police to return Agu to their custody.
Chairman of the Eastern Bar Forum Damian Nosike who led a large team of lawyers to court in solidarity with Agu, confirmed the development.
“We have just been informed that there is no chief magistrate available for the charges to be preferred against our colleague, Chinedu Agu. The implication is that the police will take him back to their office and return him to court tomorrow,” Nosike said.
Other prominent lawyers present included former NBA Owerri chairman Stanley Imo, SAN, current branch chairman Chris Ihentuge, and senior bar leaders across the region.
Speaking through his legal representatives, Agu insisted the charges were politically motivated, alleging that the Imo Democratic Alliance is an unregistered body with no physical office.
He is now expected to be arraigned on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
The case has already drawn comparisons to the recent detention of Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, a journalist in Kebbi State who was arrested earlier this month after releasing a viral video exposing the poor state of facilities at Kangiwa General Hospital.
Rights groups condemned Kangiwa’s arrest as a clampdown on free expression, warning that Nigerian authorities were prioritising silencing critics over addressing governance failures.
With Agu’s detention, concerns are mounting over the increasing use of cyberstalking and defamation laws to target journalists, activists, and lawyers critical of state authorities in Nigeria.
