Magistrate Sends Lawyer to Prison Over Criticism of Governor Uzodimma!

Magistrate Sends Lawyer to Prison Over Criticism of Governor Uzodimma!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Owerri, Imo State — On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze ordered that Barrister Chinedu Agu, a prominent lawyer and activist in Owerri, be remanded in the Owerri Correctional Centre following his arraignment on charges of cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and incitement. These charges stem from opinion articles and social media posts that allegedly criticised the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The Allegations Against Agu

• The Imo State Police Command filed the charges, accusing Agu of using his official Facebook page on August 30 and 31, 2025, to publish statements such as “the courts are closed and justice has been kidnapped …” and “this is not government, this is tyranny”, which were described as false and intended to incite public unrest. [2]
• The prosecution cited Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Amendment Act, 2024 in their charge sheet. [2]

– Additional counts include accusations of breach of public peace and defamation of the police force. [2]

Court Proceedings & Remand Decision

• Agu pleaded not guilty to all counts. [1]
• Despite defence arguments that the magistrate’s court lacks jurisdiction over such matters, Magistrate Njemanze granted the prosecution’s application to remand Agu in prison custody. [1]
• The case has been adjourned to October 29, 2025. [1]
• Interestingly, during earlier attempts at arraignment, court processes were reportedly stalled due to the absence of a chief magistrate. [3]

Reactions & Free Speech Concerns

• Human rights lawyer Prof. Chidi Odinkalu described the charges as “trumped‑up”and alleged that the remand order was “pre‑determined,” pointing out that the magistrate had admitted lack of jurisdiction before approving the remand. [1]
• NBA (Nigerian Bar Association), Owerri Branch and other legal bodies have expressed alarm, stating that such prosecutions could set dangerous precedents for silencing criticism and undermining democracy. [1]
• Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) also condemned the prosecution, calling defamation a civil law matter and accusing the government of weaponising the police. [1]

Citations:

1. Sahara Reporters: saharareporters.com/2025/09/25/imo-magistrate-remands-former-nba-secretary-over-facebook-posts-criticising-governor?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Sahara Reporters: saharareporters.com/2025/09/24/imo-police-charge-nba-ex-secretary-defamation-incitement-over-facebook-posts-critical?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Punch Newspapers: punchng.com/lawyers-arraignment-in-imo-court-over-criticism-of-uzodimma-stalled/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Managing Editor of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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