Avocats Sans Frontières France, ASF France has strongly condemned the continued detention of legal practitioner and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Mr. Chinedu Agu, who has been remanded at the Owerri Custodial Centre since September 23, 2025.
Mr. Agu’s detention follows allegations of criminal defamation and incitement linked to Facebook posts criticizing the Imo State government. ASF France described his continued incarceration as a gross violation of his fundamental right to freedom of expression and digital rights guaranteed under Nigerian and international law.
Speaking at a closed-door media briefing, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director of ASF France in Nigeria, decried the use of criminal defamation laws as tools for political suppression, stressing that dissent and criticism of public officials remain vital to a functioning democracy.
“We strongly condemn the use of allegations such as criminal defamation and incitement to silence critical voices and stifle legitimate public discourse. It is disappointing that Mr. Agu’s bail was denied by the Federal High Court on October 16, 2025,” she stated.
“His consistent calls for accountability from the Imo State government constitute a protected exercise of his fundamental right to free speech.”
Uzoma-Iwuchukwu noted that the circumstances surrounding Mr. Agu’s arrest and the handling of his bail application point to what she described as a systematic attempt to intimidate citizens for exercising their rights online.
ASF France called on the Imo State government, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law and immediately release Mr. Agu unconditionally.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment, through the e-RIGHTS Project, to providing legal representation for Mr. Agu and other citizens facing persecution for expressing their views online.
“We will continue to pursue all available legal avenues to ensure justice is served and to safeguard the digital rights and freedom of expression of all Nigerians,” Uzoma-Iwuchukwu added.