- The Anambra State Police have arraigned publisher Ejike Ofoegbu over allegedly publishing false and defamatory reports about Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his family. The police said the publications were capable of damaging reputations and inciting public disaffection.
- Although the suspect has publicly retracted the statements and apologised, he has been remanded in a correctional facility as the case continues in court.
The Anambra State Police Command has arraigned Ejike Ofoegbu, the alleged owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and iNews, over the alleged publication of fabricated and defamatory reports targeting the family of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Ofoegbu was arraigned on July 13 after the command received him from the Department of State Services (DSS) in Awka and concluded investigations into a petition accusing him of publishing false information capable of damaging the governor’s family’s reputation and inciting public disaffection.
Police alleged that the suspect published several false claims on social media, including fabricated quotes purportedly from Governor Soludo and his son, Ozo. Among the posts cited were:
“Breaking News: ‘I will arrest anyone who calls Ozo my son. He is not my son. I disowned him years ago, and he is no longer a member of the Soludo family.’”
Another post falsely attributed the following statement to Ozo:
“Just In: I Don’t Take Advice From My Father. He Was a Drunkard Who Beat My Mom When I Was Young. His Treatment of My Mother Made Me Decide Never to Take Advice From Him.”
Police also listed another satirical post that read:
“Breaking News: ‘I ordered Ozo from Temu. He is Chinese-made, not my son. Even at the hospital when he was born, I asked the doctor, ‘I hope you didn’t accidentally exchange my real son.’ Ozo is from Temu,’ Soludo jokingly told reporters.”
A fourth post allegedly published by the suspect stated:
“Breaking News: ‘They should organize a drinking competition between my father and Wike. I just want to see something. I’m willing to bet my life that my father would win. People don’t understand his drinking capacity.’
Following the investigation, Ofoegbu reportedly retracted the publications and issued a public apology to Governor Soludo and his family.
However, the police proceeded with his prosecution, and he has been remanded in a correctional centre pending further court proceedings.
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