By Ovat Abeng
Bail has been refused for a self-styled online publisher/blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, associated with Igbo Times Magazine and INews, who was today, July, 13, 2026, arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The defendant is accused of creating and publishing fabricated stories, defamatory content, and “satanic works of fiction” presented as journalism for the purpose of generating online traffic and financial gain.
The Magistrate, C.O Ezekwere ordered the compilation and transmission of the original copy of the police case to the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, as well as records of the hearing in the Magistrate court, however advising him to proceed to the High Court, Awka to seek Bail, as the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to try the matter.
This followed entrances by A.A. Nwanri who appeared for the plaintiff, as well as the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, O.K Nkuma and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of D-4 Section, State CID, Awka, for a motion ex parte for the defendant’s remand in Awka Correctional Center.
The primary target mentioned in his write-ups is the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and his family, specifically his son, Ozonna.
The defendant allegedly published fabricated claims, including, the Governor “disowning” his son, the son calling his father a “drunkard who beat my mom,” a “drinking competition” between the Governor and a minister.
The relevant sections of the law relied upon by the plaintiff include Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (specifically Section 24 1B regarding cyberstalking and Section 38 regarding identity theft), Criminal Code Act, Section 373 and 375 (regarding defamatory matter), 2024 Amendment to the Cybercrime Act.
27th of July, 2026 was set aside as hearing date for compliance.
The Paradise News had earlier reported that that the defendant had issued a “Public Apology and Full Retraction,” in spite of which he is facing legal action under Nigerian cyber laws and the Criminal Code for acts including criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and identity theft/impersonation.
