“Fake Reports On Soludo Family” — Anambra Arraigns Blogger For Alleged Defamation, Cybercrime

The Anambra State Government has arraigned blogger and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu, over alleged criminal defamation and cybercrime linked to reports published about Governor Chukwuma Soludo and members of his family.

The development was disclosed on Monday by the Anambra State New Media in a post on X, where it said Ofoegbu had appeared before the Magistrate Court in Amawbia as proceedings in the case continued.

“Ejike Ofoegbu (Experience), the Owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and I News, who published fake news against Gov. Soludo’s family, arrives in Magistrate Court Amawbia, as his criminal defamation and cybercrime offence case continues,” .. read.

The arraignment came days after Ofoegbu publicly apologised and issued an unconditional retraction over a series of reports he admitted were fabricated.

In a statement titled “Public Apology and Full Retraction,” Ofoegbu admitted that several stories concerning Governor Soludo and his son, Ozonna, were false and not based on verified facts or credible sources.

“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative.

“They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news,” he stated.

Ofoegbu also retracted several viral posts, including claims that Soludo had disowned his son, that Ozonna described his father as a drunkard who abused his mother, and other alleged fabricated statements involving the governor and his family.

He further admitted that the publications were made to attract online traffic, audience engagement and financial gain.

“I sincerely admit that I published such stories in pursuit of online traffic, audience engagement, and financial gain. I now realise that no amount of money or online attention can justify spreading false information or damaging another person’s reputation,” he said.

The publisher also admitted publishing other false reports involving Soludo and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, including claims suggesting that Obi would defeat the governor in an election.

He apologised to Governor Soludo, his family, associates, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and the people of Anambra State for the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the publications.

“This statement serves as my full and unconditional retraction of those publications. They were false, fabricated, and should be disregarded in their entirety,” he added.

Despite the apology and retraction, the Anambra State Government proceeded with criminal charges against him, accusing him of criminal defamation and offences under the Cybercrimes Act.

The case is now before the Magistrate Court in Amawbia.

Ofoegbu has not been convicted of the allegations.