The group was reacting to what it described as an “ominous account” by Agu concerning the reported revival of a criminal matter that had effectively gone dormant.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has warned the Imo State Government and security agencies against allegedly reviving an old criminal case involving lawyer and human rights activist Chinedu Agu, saying criminal justice must not be used to punish dissent or settle political scores.
In a statement dated September 11, 2026 and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC said the reported development surrounding Agu should concern Nigerians who value the rule of law and protection of civic space.
The group was reacting to what it described as an “ominous account” by Agu concerning the reported revival of a criminal matter that had effectively gone dormant.
“If an old criminal file that had effectively gone dormant is now being revived against a lawyer who has remained outspoken in challenging alleged abuses of power, the authorities must understand that the circumstances will inevitably raise legitimate questions about motive, timing and abuse of prosecutorial discretion,” RULAAC said.
The organisation, however, stressed that no person, including lawyers, journalists and activists, is above the law.
“No lawyer, journalist, activist or citizen is above the law,” it said, adding that where credible evidence exists that an offence has been committed, “the law should take its course through a transparent, impartial and constitutionally compliant process.”
RULAAC warned, however, that criminal justice should not be turned into a tool for suppressing criticism.
“But criminal justice must never be weaponised to punish dissent, intimidate critics or settle political scores,” the group said.
Agu, a former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, has been a vocal critic of the Imo State Government and has represented citizens in cases involving alleged human rights violations and police abuses.
His latest controversy follows his previous arrest and prosecution over articles and Facebook posts critical of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.
SaharaReporters had reported in September 2025 that the Imo State Police Command arrested Agu over allegations bordering on criminal defamation and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace after he published articles critical of the Uzodimma administration.
The articles included “Tears from Enugu: A Lawyer’s Heartbreaking Diary from a State that Works to a State in Ruins” and “Imo State — Where Justice Is on Vacation During Court Vacation.” The publications drew a strong response from Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, who described Agu’s writings as “satanic verses.”
The Nigerian Bar Association subsequently condemned the police invitation to Agu, describing the development as an abuse of police powers and warning against attempts to criminalise criticism of government officials and institutions. RULAAC also condemned the prosecution, according to reports at the time.
Nigeria: RULAAC Warns Imo Govt Against Reviving Old Case Against Lawyer Agu
