Blogger who allegedly fabricated reports against Soludo, family, arraigned, remanded *Police said the defendant was arrested in Imo State

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By Madu Obi

A blogger and owner of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu, who confessed to fabricating reports against the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and his family, has been remanded in a Correctional Center in Anambra State after arraignment in a Magistrate Court in Awka.

Chief Security Officer to Governor Soludjo, O.K. Nkuma said in court that Ofoegbu's telephone was tracked to Imo State where he was eventually arrested and brought to Anambra State.

The relevant sections of the law relied upon by the prosecution include Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (specifically Section 24 1B regarding cyber stalking and Section 38 regarding identity theft), Criminal Code Act, Section 373 and 375 (regarding defamatory matter), 2024 Amendment to the Cybercrime Act.

Testifying as a witness in the case, Nkuma said: "The governor drew my attention to the publications by Igbo Times Magazine owned by Ejike Ofoegbu, the defendant. I visited his Facebook page and INews platforms which contained the despicable and unverifiable postulations with total disregard to the governor, his wife and family.

"Following the review of the publications, and some of the information credited to Ozonna, the governor's son, the despicable publication was annexed to the police.

"We had to go the extra mile by tracking his telephone and eventually found him in Imo State where he was arrested."

The prosecuting counsel, AA. Nwanna prayed the court to remand the defendant in the Correctional Center to enable the prosecution perfect the charges.

Refusing to grant the bail application by Ofoegbu's lawyer, I. C. Machie, the presiding Magistrate, C. O Ezekwere ordered the compilation and transmission of the original copy of the police case to the State Attorney General, as well as records of the hearing in the Magistrate Court to the Director of Public Prosecution, for further action.

" From the matter presented, I have no jurisdiction to handle the matter", he added

The Magistrate, however, advised the defendant to proceed to the High Court, Awka to seek bail, as the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to try the matter.

The Anambra State Police command said the arraignment of Ofoegbu followed the receipt of the suspect from the Department of State Services, Awka, and the conclusion of Police investigations into a petition alleging the publication of false information capable of causing reputational harm and inciting public disaffection.

"The suspect has been remanded in a Correctional Centre in the state. The command also notes that it will refrain from making further comments on the matter, as this may prejudice the ongoing court proceedings.

The command also advised members of the public, media practitioners, and publishers to exercise due diligence in verifying information before publication and to adhere to the ethics of responsible journalism and the provisions of extant laws governing the dissemination of information.

The defendant alegedly published fabricated claims, including, the Governor "disowning" his son, the son calling his father a "drunkard who beat my mom," a "drinking competition" between the Governor and a minister.

The matter was adjourned to 27th July, 2026 for hearing.