Blogger’s Public Apology Fails to Save Him as Court Takes Fresh Action in Soludo Family Defamation Case

A Magistrate Court in Amawbia, near Awka, Anambra State, has ordered the remand of blogger and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu, over alleged defamatory publications targeting Governor Chukwuma Soludo and members of his family.
Ofoegbu, who is facing a three-count charge of alleged identity theft, cyberstalking and defamation, was remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre following an ex parte application filed by the prosecution.

Chief Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere granted the remand request pending the completion of police investigations and the transfer of the case file to the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for legal advice.
According to the prosecution, the blogger published several reports allegedly containing false claims about Governor Soludo, his son Ozonna, and other family members. Among the disputed publications were reports claiming the governor had publicly disowned his son and allegations suggesting Ozonna described his father as a “drunkard who beat my mom.”
The prosecution also cited a report alleging that Soludo participated in a drinking competition with a serving federal minister, insisting the publications were malicious and intended to damage the governor’s reputation.
While the allegations are yet to be proven in court, prosecutors argued that the defendant’s actions violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, as well as sections of the Criminal Code dealing with defamation.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ezekwere stated that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the substantive case and consequently declined to consider Ofoegbu’s bail application. He advised the defendant to seek bail at the Anambra State High Court.
The court further directed the prosecution to forward the original police case file, exhibits and records of proceedings to the Attorney General’s office and the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal review.
Despite reports that Ofoegbu had earlier issued a public apology and retracted the disputed publications, the prosecution maintained that such actions do not automatically erase potential criminal liability.
The matter was adjourned until July 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the court’s directives, while the defendant remains in custody pending further proceedings.