Mr. Chinedu Agu, former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, has been released from detention at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) facility in Owerri, following a court order, according to a statement from Daniel Odiba, Esq., Secretary of the NBA Owerri Branch.
TheNigeriaLawyer could not independently verify the circumstances surrounding his release, but the branch expressed gratitude to all who showed concern and support during Agu’s detention, particularly NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, for his immense assistance and solidarity.
Agu, a vocal critic of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration, had been detained since September 23, 2025, following Facebook posts in which he described the state government 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 cited these posts as violations under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The legal proceedings began when Agu was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Obinna Njemanze, who also serves as Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court of Imo State. Prosecuted by Mr. F. O. Itua of the Imo State Police Command, Agu faced charges of criminal defamation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. He pleaded not guilty, but the magistrate remanded him in custody, citing a lack of jurisdiction over the cybercrime allegations, and adjourned the matter to October 29.
Agu’s defense team, comprising over 30 lawyers including former Imo State Attorney-General Miletus Onukoagu Nlemadim and Stanley Imo, SAN, promptly sought bail at the Federal High Court. On September 25, 2025, the court granted temporary release, though correctional authorities initially resisted executing the order, arguing it applied only to the police.
Justice Chituru Wigwe-Oreh later denied an uncontested bail application, citing the “absence of any formal charge,” a claim widely criticized by legal experts, including Femi Falana, as legally untenable. Agu’s release marks a key development in the ongoing legal saga, which has drawn widespread attention from the legal community and human rights advocates.