The Anambra State government has arraigned blogger and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu, before a Magistrate Court in Amawbia over alleged criminal defamation and cybercrime linked to reports published about Governor Charles Soludo and members of his family.
The state government disclosed on Monday, that Ofoegbu was brought before the court as legal proceedings commenced over what authorities described as false and defamatory publications targeting the governor and his relatives.
The arraignment comes shortly after the blogger publicly apologised and issued an unconditional retraction of several reports concerning Governor Soludo and his son, Ozonna.
In a statement titled: “Public Apology and Full Retraction,” Ofoegbu admitted that the reports were fabricated and not based on verified information obtained from the governor, his family or any authorised representative.
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He acknowledged that the stories were entirely false and apologised to Governor Soludo, his family, readers and the people of Anambra State for publishing the misleading reports.
The publisher also admitted that the articles were created primarily to attract online traffic and generate financial returns.
Among the reports he retracted were claims that Governor Soludo had disowned his son and allegations that Ozonna had publicly accused his father of alcoholism and domestic abuse.
Despite the apology and withdrawal of the publications, the Anambra State government proceeded with criminal charges, accusing Ofoegbu of criminal defamation and offences under the Cybercrimes Act.
The case is expected to continue before the Magistrate Court as the government seeks to prosecute the alleged offences.
