Publisher Admits Reports About Governor Soludo and His Son Were Fabricated as Government Proceeds With Criminal Charges
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 by the Anambra State New Media, which said Ofoegbu appeared before the Magistrate Court in Amawbia as proceedings in the case commenced.
According to the government media team, the publisher is facing charges over what it described as false reports targeting Governor Soludo’s family.
The arraignment comes days after Ofoegbu issued a public apology and unconditional retraction, admitting that several reports he published about Governor Soludo and his son, Ozonna, were fabricated.
In a statement titled “Public Apology and Full Retraction,” Ofoegbu acknowledged that the reports were false and were not based on verified facts or information obtained from the governor, his family or any official representative.
He admitted that the stories were fabricated to attract online traffic and generate financial gain.
Among the retracted reports were claims that Governor Soludo had disowned his son and allegations that Ozonna had publicly accused his father of alcoholism and domestic abuse.
The blogger apologised to Governor Soludo, his family, readers and the people of Anambra State, describing the reports as false and stating that they should never have been presented as news.
Despite the public apology and retraction, the Anambra State Government proceeded with criminal charges, accusing Ofoegbu of criminal defamation and offences under the Cybercrimes Act.
