An Owerri-based lawyer, Chinedu Agu, is facing arraignment on charges of cyberstalking, defamation, and inciting civil disturbances after publishing two articles critical of the Imo State government.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed that Agu will be charged before a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri.
Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye said the case followed due process.
“Yes, Mr. Chinedu Agu, Esq., will be arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri on allegations bordering on cyberstalking, defamation of character, inciting civic disturbances, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace,” he stated.
Agu was arrested on Tuesday after honouring a police invitation.
His arrest followed a petition by a group known as the Imo Democratic Alliance, signed by Umukoro Marvis Udochukwu, accusing him of publishing inciting articles against Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.
The case was, however, stalled on Wednesday as all chief magistrates were away for an official assignment.
Lawyers, including NBA Owerri Chairman Chief Chris Ihentuge, Eastern Bar Forum Chairman Damian Nosike, and former NBA Owerri Chairman Chief Stanley Imo (SAN), were present in court to show solidarity.
After hours of waiting, Nosike addressed the lawyers. “We have just been informed that there is no chief magistrate available for the charges to be preferred against our colleague.
The police will take him back to their office and return him to court tomorrow,” he said.
Agu had recently published two articles critical of the Uzodimma administration. On August 30, 2025, he wrote “Tears from Enugu:
A lawyer’s heartbreaking diary from a state that works to a state in ruins.”
The following day, he published “Imo State where justice is on vacation during court vacation.”
The articles drew a strong rebuttal from the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, who described Agu’s writings as “satanic verses against Imo State.”
Meanwhile, Agu dismissed the petitioning group as fictitious, claiming it was not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission nor traceable to any physical address.
He alleged that the petition was sponsored by Emelumba to silence his criticisms.
Agu’s arraignment is now expected to take place today (Thursday).
Post Views: 36
