Ejike Ofoegbu, a blogger who runs Igbo Times Magazine and INews, is now in custody at an Anambra State correctional facility. He appeared before an Awka Magistrate Court to face charges involving cyberstalking, defamation, and the spread of false information concerning Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his relatives.
The charges stem from a formal complaint regarding misleading reports that threatened the reputation of the governor’s family. O.K. Nkuma, the governor’s Chief Security Officer, testified that police located the defendant in Imo State by tracking his mobile phone. After his arrest, Ofoegbu reportedly admitted to writing the articles in question.
During the court session, the prosecution referenced the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, along with its 2024 amendments and the Criminal Code, to justify the charges. While the defense lawyer, I.C. Machie, requested bail, Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere ruled that the court did not have the authority to hear the case. Consequently, the magistrate directed that the case files be sent to the State Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The defendant was advised to seek bail through the High Court in Awka. The proceedings, which address claims involving the governor’s son and various fabricated stories, have been pushed to July 27, 2026. The Anambra State Police Command noted that Ofoegbu was transferred to them from the Department of State Services and has since cautioned the public to verify information before sharing it online.
