Court remands blogger over defamatory story against Soludo, family

An online publisher and blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, has been ordered into remand by a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The charges stem from alleged defamatory publications targeting Governor Charles Soludo and members of his family. Ofoegbu, who owns Igbo Times Magazine and INews, faces serious accusations.

Chief Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere ruled that the case be transmitted to the Anambra Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. The magistrate informed Ofoegbu that the magistrate's court lacks the jurisdiction to handle the bail application and advised him to approach the High Court in Awka for such relief. The case has been adjourned until July 27 for a compliance report.

The prosecution, represented by Tochukwu Echemagu of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, detailed the charges against Ofoegbu. These include identity theft, defamation, and cyberstalking. The prosecution alleges that Ofoegbu created and published fabricated reports against the governor and his family with the intent to attract online traffic and generate financial gains.

Specifically, the police claim the publications falsely stated that Governor Soludo had disowned his son, Ozonna, and that the son described his father as "a drunkard who beat my mum." Allegations of a drinking competition involving the governor and a minister were also mentioned. Despite an earlier public apology and retraction by Ofoegbu, he is still being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.

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a drunkard who beat my mum