A Magistrate Court sitting in Amawbia, near Awka, has ordered the remand of blogger and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu, over allegations that he published false and defamatory reports targeting Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and members of his family.
The court directed that Ofoegbu be taken to the Awka Correctional Centre, where he will remain in custody pending further proceedings in the matter.
Chief Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere issued the remand order on Monday after considering an ex parte application filed by the prosecution in Suit No. M/W/3136/2026.
The prosecution, led by A.A. Nwanri, requested that the defendant be remanded while police investigations are concluded and the case file is forwarded to the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for legal advice.
Also present in court were the Governor’s Chief Security Officer, O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the D-4 Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, who supported the application.
Although Ofoegbu applied for bail, the magistrate declined to entertain the request, ruling that the court lacked the jurisdiction to determine the substantive charges against him.
Instead, the court advised the defendant to seek bail before the Anambra State High Court.
According to the prosecution, Ofoegbu allegedly published a series of reports containing false claims about Governor Soludo, his son, Ozonna Soludo, and other members of the governor’s family.
Among the publications cited were claims that the governor publicly disowned his son, allegations that Ozonna described his father as “a drunkard who beat my mom,” and another report suggesting Soludo took part in a “drinking competition” with a serving federal minister.
The state argued that the publications were deliberately fabricated and maliciously circulated with the intention of damaging the governor’s reputation and public image.
Authorities stressed that the allegations against Ofoegbu remain accusations and have yet to be proven before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The prosecution accused the blogger of committing offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
The charges include alleged cyberstalking, identity theft, impersonation, and defamation, with prosecutors also relying on relevant provisions of the Criminal Code governing defamatory publications.
Justice officials are expected to review the police investigation before deciding the next legal steps.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Ezekwere directed the prosecution to compile and transmit the original police case file, exhibits, and court proceedings to the Office of the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Awka for legal advice.
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The court also entered the Governor’s Chief Security Officer, O.K. Nkuma, and the investigating officer, Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu, into recognisance in the sum of ₦50,000 each to ensure their availability as prosecution witnesses whenever required.
Before the criminal proceedings commenced, Ofoegbu had issued a public apology and retracted the disputed publications.
However, prosecutors argued that the apology did not automatically erase any criminal liability that may have arisen from the alleged offences.
According to the state, a public retraction cannot prevent prosecution where authorities believe sufficient evidence exists to sustain criminal charges under the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code.
The matter has been adjourned until July 27, 2026, when the court will receive a report on compliance with its directives while Ofoegbu remains in custody.