The police in Imo State have invited a lawyer and former secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri branch, Chinedu Agu, for questioning regarding a petition alleging criminal defamation of character. The invitation, issued by the X-Squad Unit, also cites “conduct likely to cause a breach of peace” and does not specify who the complainant is. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 17, at the police headquarters in Owerri.
The Lawyer’s Stance
Mr. Agu has since posted the police invitation letter on his Facebook page, stating that the Imo State Government is behind the move. He believes the invitation stems from a petition lodged by the state’s Ministry of Information. In a subsequent post, the lawyer lamented that the state is taking “a thousand steps backwards into an era reminiscent of military rule,” where freedom of expression is stifled and voices calling for good governance are “deliberately gagged.”
Agu maintained that he will honor the police invitation and that his commitment to “constitutional values of democracy, transparency, and accountability” remains unwavering. He believes the Imo State Government is “haunting” him for speaking out on several “vital issues.”
The “Crimes”
Mr. Agu outlined his recent activities, which he believes led to the police invitation. Since March 2025, he has been openly advocating for the appointment of the most qualified person as the state’s acting chief judge, following the compulsory retirement of the former chief judge over age falsification.
He also authored several articles that were critical of the state government. One piece, titled “How Can We Feast While the House of Justice Burns: A Response to Imo State Government’s Invitation to Imo Lawyers for a Welcome Dinner in Enugu,” questioned the state’s decision to host a dinner for lawyers in Enugu while Imo State’s own justice sector was in disarray. He highlighted the lack of a functional Ministry of Lands and the absence of vacation courts, a situation he described as unprecedented.
In another article, “Tears from Enugu: A Lawyer’s Heartbreaking Diary from a State that Works to a State in Ruins,” he contrasted his experiences in Enugu with what he called the “decay in Imo.” He also criticized Governor Uzodinma for traveling on vacation while the state’s justice sector and security situation were in a “comatose state.”
Most recently, on September 10, 2025, he challenged the constitutionality of the Imo State House of Assembly’s resolution to rename Douglas Road after the governor, arguing that such power lies with the Owerri Municipal Council.
Reactions from the Legal and Civil Society
The Owerri branch of the NBA has weighed in, calling on the Imo State Government and the state’s commissioner of police to ensure that the police are not used to suppress free speech. The NBA has assigned a team to monitor the situation and ensure Mr. Agu’s rights are respected.
Similarly, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has condemned the police invitation. The organization’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated that Agu’s only “offence” appears to be his consistent and lawful criticism of governance in the state.
