Imo Police Arrest Computer Programmer After Criticising Magistrate’s Intervention In Wife’s Alleged Affair

Sahara Reporters gathered on Thursday from family members that Ude was arrested in Abuja on August 20, 2026, on the orders of a magistrate in the Imo State Judiciary, Pastor Akunna, following a series of social media posts in which Ude criticized the magistrate’s intervention in the domestic dispute.

According to family accounts, Ude had worked under Apostle Love Judah at Truth Assembly International Churches in Owerri for nine years before a rift developed.

Ude’s wife, Miracle Ude, allegedly told her husband and father that Apostle Judah had engaged in an illicit sexual relationship with her.

The matter escalated after Miracle’s father confronted Apostle Judah over the allegations.

According to the family, Apostle Judah did not deny the allegation but subsequently discussed the confrontation with Pastor Akunna, a magistrate in the Imo State Judiciary who also serves as a pastor in the ministry.

Family members told Sahara Reporters that, in an alleged attempt to cover up the matter and intimidate the family into silence, Magistrate Akunna contacted Miracle’s father and cautioned him against making defamatory claims against Apostle Judah.

During the conversation, the magistrate allegedly made comments ridiculing Ude in the presence of his father-in-law.

Ude reportedly took the dispute to social media, where he published details of the matter and criticised the magistrate.

Following the posts, police officers allegedly brought Ude from his residence in Abuja to Owerri, where he has remained in custody since August 20 without administrative bail.

He is facing charges including criminal defamation and threat to life, with court proceedings expected to commence in Owerri.

Detailing the police’s alleged moves to arraign his son, Ude’s father, Caleb Ude, told SaharaReporters: "Following calls to the police by human rights activists and journalists, the IPO, one Charles from X-Squad, called me that Victor would be arraigned in a Magistrate Court in Owerri this morning, despite being with him yesterday and he never informed me of the arraignment, because they had an ulterior motive to remand him in prison custody."

Caleb Ude also alleged that police personnel had been demanding money from the family for his son’s food during his detention.

"They collect ₦2,000 every day from us before they give him food. N1,000 for every meal I bought to give and I give him food twice daily," he said.

When contacted by Sahara Reporters about Ude’s continued detention without bail and the allegation of financial demands by police personnel, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, said he was not aware of the matter.

"Until this your call, I was not aware of this matter and I can assure you that I will look into the matter," Okoye said.

Legal representatives and human rights advocates are preparing to appear on Ude’s behalf before the magistrate’s court to challenge his detention and seek bail.