By Emeka Chiaghanam
A Magistrate Court in Amawbia, Anambra State, has ordered
the remand of a self-styled online publisher and blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, over
allegations that he published false and defamatory reports targeting Governor
Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his son, Ozonna.
Ofoegbu, who is associated with Igbo Times Magazine
and INews, was arraigned before the court on Monday. He was denied bail
at the Magistrate Court, which ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear
the substantive case.
Presiding Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere directed that the
original police case file, along with the court's records of proceedings, be
forwarded to the Attorney General and the Anambra State Ministry of Justice.
The court advised the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka if he wished
to seek bail.
The remand order followed an ex parte application presented
by counsel to the complainant, A.A. Nwanri. Also present in court were the
Governor's Chief Security Officer, O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu
of the D-4 Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka,
who supported the application for Ofoegbu's remand at the Awka Correctional
Centre.
According to the prosecution, Ofoegbu allegedly used his
online platforms to publish fabricated and defamatory stories presented as
legitimate journalism. The authorities claimed the reports were designed to
attract online traffic and generate financial returns.
Court documents identified Governor Soludo and members of his
family, particularly his son Ozonna, as the principal subjects of the
publications.
Among the allegations cited were reports claiming that the
governor had disowned his son, that Ozonna described his father as "a
drunkard who beat my mum", and that Governor Soludo participated in a
drinking competition with a government minister. The prosecution argued that
the reports were entirely fabricated.
The case is being pursued under several Nigerian laws,
including provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act
2015, particularly Section 24(1)(b) on cyberstalking and Section 38 on identity
theft. The prosecution also cited Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act
relating to criminal defamation, as well as the 2024 amendment to the Cybercrimes
Act.
The court fixed 27 July 2026 for compliance.
The legal proceedings come despite reports that Ofoegbu had
earlier issued what he described as a public apology and full retraction of the
disputed publications. Nevertheless, he remains subject to criminal proceedings
over allegations including cyberstalking, criminal defamation and identity
theft or impersonation under Nigerian law.
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