The Anambra State Government has arraigned a blogger and publisher, Ejike Ofoegbu, before a Magistrate Court in Amawbia over alleged criminal defamation and cybercrime following reports published about Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his family.
The state government disclosed the development on Monday through its official New Media platform, stating that the case followed the publication of what it described as false reports concerning the governor’s family.
According to the government, Ofoegbu, the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, was brought before the court to answer charges bordering on criminal defamation and offences under the Cybercrime Act.
The arraignment comes days after the blogger publicly apologised and retracted a series of reports involving Governor Soludo and his son, Ozonna.
In a public apology, Ofoegbu admitted that the reports were false, fabricated and not based on verified information. He acknowledged that neither the governor, his son, members of the family nor any official representative provided the information contained in the publications.
He also withdrew several viral claims involving the governor and his family, admitting that the stories were published without credible evidence.
The publisher further apologised to Governor Soludo, his family, readers and the people of Anambra State, admitting that the reports were driven by the desire to attract online traffic and generate revenue.
The case has been adjourned as legal proceedings continue.
