By Crime Correspondent
An online publisher, Ejike Ofoegbu, has been remanded after he was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, over alleged defamatory publications targeting Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and members of his family.
Ofoegbu, publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, was arraigned on Monday, July 13, 2026, on allegations bordering on cyberstalking, criminal defamation, identity-related offences and the publication of false information.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly published a series of fabricated reports concerning Governor Soludo and his son, Ozonna Soludo, with the intention of misleading the public and attracting online traffic for financial gain.
Among the allegations cited in court were reports claiming that the governor had disowned his son, publications attributing false statements to Ozonna Soludo, and a report alleging that Governor Soludo participated in a drinking competition with a federal minister.
The prosecution is relying on provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, including Section 24(1)(b) on cyberstalking, Section 38 on identity-related offences, the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act relating to criminal defamation.
During the proceedings, counsel to the complainant, A.A. Nwanri, appeared alongside the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, CSP O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who urged the court to remand the defendant pending further legal proceedings.
In her ruling, the presiding Magistrate, C.O. Ezekwere, held that the Magistrate Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The court consequently ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Anambra State Attorney General and Ministry of Justice for legal advice and further necessary action.
Magistrate Ezekwere also advised the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka for any application seeking bail, as the Magistrate Court could not entertain the request.
Court documents indicate that Ofoegbu had previously issued a public apology and retracted the publications that formed the basis of the case. However, the prosecution informed the court that the criminal proceedings would continue despite the retraction.
The matter was adjourned until July 27, 2026, for a status report and further proceedings.