The Imo State Police Command on Wednesday attempted to arraign lawyer and activist, Chinedu Agu, over allegations of cyberstalking Governor Hope Uzodimma, but the move was delayed at the Magistrate’s Court in Owerri due to the absence of a chief magistrate.
Agu was taken into custody on Tuesday by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s X-Squad Unit after a petition by a group called the Imo Democratic Alliance, accusing him of publishing inciting articles against the governor.
The lawyer, known for his criticism of Uzodimma’s administration, has been in open confrontation with the state’s Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, in a series of public disputes. His works, such as “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,” were sharply dismissed by Emelumba, who labeled them “satanic verses.”
Police spokesperson in Imo, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the charges, noting that they involved cyberstalking, defamation of character, incitement of civil disturbances, 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.
However, the session could not proceed as magistrates were reportedly at an official engagement. After hours of waiting, lawyers were informed that no chief magistrate was available to preside over the case.
Chairman of the Eastern Bar Forum, Damian Nosike, told colleagues,
“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.”
Many lawyers, including former NBA Owerri chairman Stanley Imo (SAN), current branch chairman Chris Ihentuge, and Nosike, gathered at the court in solidarity with Agu.
The accused lawyer alleged that the petition against him was politically driven and orchestrated through the Imo Democratic Alliance, which he said was unregistered and without a verifiable office.
He is now scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
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