Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu, a blogger known for spreading fake news was on Monday arraigned before a magistrate court in Amawbia, Anambra State, on charges of criminal defamation and cybercrime related to false publications about Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his family.
Ofoegbu, the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine blog, was brought to court by the Anambra state police command over allegations that he published fabricated reports claiming a rift between the governor and his son Ozonna, including a false claim that Soludo had disowned him.
The state government confirmed the arraignment in a post on its official X handle on Monday.
“Ejike Ofoegbu (Experience), the Owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and I News, who published fake news against Gov. Soludo’s family, arrives in Magistrate Court Amawbia, as his criminal defamation and cybercrime offence case continues,” the post reads.
The court appearance came days after Ofeogbu issued a public apology to the governor and his family.
In a blog post, Ofoegbu admitted that the reports were entirely false and fabricated, citing financial motivation as the driving factor.
“My name is Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, the owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews. I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere apology to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his family, and the general public,” the statement reads.
“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.
“I state clearly and without reservation that every one of the statements above was fake. They should not be regarded as factual reports or genuine quotations. I take full responsibility for publishing them. I sincerely admit that I published such stories in pursuit of online traffic, audience engagement, and financial gain.
“I now realize that no amount of money or online attention can justify spreading false information or damaging another person’s reputation. I deeply regret my actions and accept full responsibility for everything I published.
“I deeply regret the embarrassment, reputational harm, and misunderstanding these fabricated stories may have caused to Governor Soludo, his family, his associates, and members of the public.
“To Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, I respectfully and humbly ask for your forgiveness. I sincerely apologize for my actions and for publishing information that was false.”
