Publisher Remanded as Soludo Cybercrime Case Heads to High Court

An online publisher, Ejike Ofoegbu, the operator of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, was on Monday arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State over the alleged publication of fabricated and defamatory content targeting Governor Chukwuma Soludo and members of his family.

According to the prosecution, Ofoegbu allegedly coordinated a campaign of misinformation against the governor, particularly his son, Ozonna. The prosecution accused him of publishing malicious falsehoods described in court as “works of fiction” aimed at generating online traffic and financial gain. Among the allegations were claims that Governor Soludo had disowned his son, fabricated statements allegedly made by Ozonna against his father, and reports of a fictitious drinking competition involving the governor and a federal minister.
The defendant is being prosecuted under Sections 24(1)(b) and 38 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024, as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act relating to criminal defamation. During the proceedings, counsel for the prosecution, A.A. Nwanri, alongside the Governor’s Chief Security Officer, CSP O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the State CID, urged the court to remand the defendant at the Awka Correctional Centre.
Presiding Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere ruled that the Magistrate Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Anambra State Attorney General and Ministry of Justice for further action. The court advised the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka if he intended to apply for bail.
Although Ofoegbu had earlier issued a public apology and formally retracted the disputed publications, the prosecution said the case would proceed because of the gravity of the allegations, which include cyberstalking, criminal defamation and identity-related offences. The matter was adjourned until July 27, 2026, for a status report and further proceedings.