Imo Lawyer Chinedu Agu Freed After a Month in Detention for Criticising Governor Uzodinma

By Diafa Doubra,

Human rights lawyer and former secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, Chinedu Agu, has been released after spending nearly a month in police detention over social media post critics of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Agu was arrested by operatives of the Tiger Base police unit in Owerri after he made several Facebook posts condemning alleged human rights abuses and corruption within the state government. His arrest sparked outrage among rights groups and legal practitioners, who described it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.

Agu was eventually granted bail by a Chief Magistrate Court in Owerri after intense pressure from civil society organisations and senior members of the legal community.

The lawyer, known for his advocacy on rule of law and police accountability, said his detention was a “clear case of intimidation” aimed at discouraging public criticism of government officials.

Activists have since called on the Nigerian Police Force to investigate the officers responsible for his unlawful arrest and to ensure freedom of expression is respected in Imo State.