“Attempt To Disappear Lawyer” — Odinkalu Slams Imo Police, Says State Seeks To Silence Critics And Intimidate Chinedu Agu
The Nigeria Police Force in Imo State has summoned prominent lawyer and publisher, A former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch Chinedu Agu, following a complaint lodged by the Imo State Ministry of Information accusing him of “criminal defamation of character and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.”
Speaking to TheNigeriaLawyer on Sunday, Agu described the development as a backward step reminiscent of military-era suppression of free expression. He said, “Predictably, this afternoon I received an invitation from the Police to appear at the Imo State Police Headquarters on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The invitation stems from a petition lodged by the Imo State Ministry of Information.”
Agu, an advocate for good governance and human rights, affirmed his commitment to democracy, transparency, and accountability. “I will honour this invitation, confident that the law is on the side of truth, and that no attempt to use the instrumentalities of the state to intimidate, silence the voices of conscience, or constrict the civic space will succeed,” he added.
The development has drawn criticism from civil society figures. Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation, tweeted: “Imo State has enough problems of insecurity. Many parts of Orsu, Orlu LGAs remain ungoverned. But the priority of @PoliceNG is to shut up citizens who have a point of view. This effort to intimidate @ChineduAgu87 is ill-advised. The CP in Owerri knows that.”
Odinkalu further stated, “In Imo State, @Hope_Uzodimma1 & @PoliceNG want to disappear activist lawyer @ChineduAgu87 for criticism of the Imo State government? The records of the state with people who they have ‘invited’ to the police are far from encouraging.”
TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that Agu, who has long been a vocal advocate for justice and accountability, recently condemned the planned welcome dinner hosted by the Imo State Government for lawyers attending the NBA Annual General Conference in Enugu, describing it as “a feast while the house of justice burns.” He warned that it was insensitive for the state to invite lawyers to a celebration while the office of the Attorney-General remains vacant, there is no Acting Chief Judge, and the Judicial Service Commission is improperly constituted. Agu urged the government to prioritize urgent judicial appointments and reforms, including swearing in an Acting Chief Judge and appointing a substantive Attorney-General, rather than focusing on ceremonial events.
